International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 6, Issue 4, April-2015 260

ISSN 2229-5518

Performance and emission characteristics of diesel sunflowers-based biodiesel fuels

Miqdam Tariq Chaichan

Abstract— Biodiesel is one of the most desirable alternative fuels to implement. Biodiesel pertains to alternative fuels called biofuels. Bio- fuels are the fuels that derived from biological resources. Biodiesel consists of long chains of carbon molecules attached to an alcohol mol- ecule called fatty acid alkyl esters. Biodiesel is green and clean alternative to fossil diesel fuel.

In the present study, Iraqi sunflowers oil used as raw oil to produce biodiesel by a chemical process called transesterification reaction. A

four-stroke diesel engine used to investigate the engine performance and emission characteristics of the neat biodiesel, two biodiesel-diesel

blends compared to pure diesel.

The experimental results show that neat biodiesel fuel (B100) has the lowest CO, CO 2 , unburnt hydrocarbon and PM emissions. It has the lowest exhaust gas temperature, heating value, and noise level. It has the largest brake specific fuel consumption of the four tested blends,

and the highest NOx concentrations. The increase of engine speed causes the increase of exhaust gas temperature, CO 2 emissions, brake specific fuel consumption and NOx concentrations.

Index Terms— Sunflowers Oil, Biodiesel, the Transesterification Reaction, CO, CO 2 , HC, PM, Noise

—————————— ——————————

1 INTRODUCTION

owadays most of the transportation vehicles run on gasoline or diesel fuel (Arapatsakos et al, 2008). Die- sel engines widely used in medium and heavy-duty
applications. It is characterized by its low fuel consump- tion compared with gasoline engines. Also, it emits lower exhaust emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and un- burned hydrocarbons (UHC) compared with gasoline engines [1]. The global population growth and economic development result in increasing the world’s energy de- mand, in the last few years. Unfortunately, the most of the produced energy is from fossil energy sources. The prob- lem is that fossil fuels limited in supply (depleted). From here an increased interest in alternative renewable fuels started. As the biodiesel is an environmentally friendly fuel, it is the best candidate to replace fossil diesel. It has lower emissions than that of fossil diesel; it is biode- gradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aro- matics [2].
The use of vegetable oils as motor fuels is not new.
They were used during the oil shortages in the 1930s and
40s. In the latter part of the 20th-century attention in Eu-
rope and North America turned to the potential for re-
placement of petroleum diesel fuel with fuels derived
from vegetable oils [3]. In order to make the use of vege-
table oils and animal fats in engines as a more practical and less problematic; biodiesel made from oils in a pro- cess called transesterification. In this process, the triglyc- eride oils in the vegetable oils are reacted with the metha- nol or ethanol alcohols to form biodiesel and glycerin. The process requires heat and the use of a strong base catalyst, e.g., sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide [4].
The energy density of a fuel (energy per unit of vol-

————————————————

Miqdam T Chaichan is currently Assistant Professor in Mechanical Eng. Dept., University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq, PH-00964 7700120897. E-mail:Miqdam_tc@uotechnology.edu.iq

ume) defines the power delivered by the fuel and as a result fuel economy. Energy content of petroleum diesel fuels can vary up to 15% between suppliers or seasons of the year because of different refining parameters [5]. Pro- ducing biodiesel (B100 if not blended with diesel fuel) process depends mainly on the feedstock. For this reason, the fuel energy density does not vary according to the used feedstock compared to petrol-diesel. This results from the fact that the feedstock for biodiesel do not vary as much as crude oil does for making diesel fuel. Howev- er, due to the high oxygen-contained of the biodiesel (about 11% by weight), it has less heat content than pet- rol-diesel. This results in lower engine power, torque, and fuel consumption for the biodiesel and its blends with diesel [6].
Using B100 as a diesel engine fuel reduces hydrocar-
bon emissions by almost 70%. Also, it reduces carbon
monoxide and particulate matter emissions by about 50%.
However, it tends to increase nitrogen oxides emissions.
B100 and B20 increase nitrogen oxide emissions by ap- proximately 10% and 2% respectively [7]. However, some specifications of biodiesel like the high viscosity, poor volatility and cold flow characteristics of vegetable oils can cause some problems. Operating problems as injector coking, severe engine deposits, filter gumming, and pis- ton ring sticking are usual problems that need more in- vestigations [8]. These problems can be eliminated or minimized by the transesterification process.
The lower exhaust gas emissions and its renewability compared with fossil diesel fuel are the primary ad-
vantages of biodiesel. Despite that many specifications like biodiesel lower heating value, viscosity and volatility are still worse than that of diesel fuel. Still the transesteri- fication process improves the fuel properties of vegetable oil [9]. The fat causes longer ignition delay and lower combustion temperature, which results in less formation of nitrogen compounds. Also, toxic emissions are signifi-

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cantly decreased for both types of vegetable-based fuels,
as compared to petroleum diesel [10]. The emissions data does not include the poly-aromatic hydrocarbon content (PAC) of the total unburned hydrocarbons, which is an

PM in (mg

m3 ) = w2 w1 ×106

Vt

(1)

important aspect of engine emissions because it is sus-
pected to be cancer-causing [11].
Lubrication of diesel engines accomplishes in large
part by the fuel. Fuel injector pumps, fuel pumps, piston
rings and valves are all lubricated by the fuel. Vegetable
based fuels are better lubricants than petroleum diesel and increase engine life due to lessened engine wear. Additionally, engine deposits are decreased due to lack of sulfur and a complete combustion is achieved [12].
Biodiesel has some drawbacks that diesel fuel does
not have. The alcohol used to remove the glycerin from the vegetable oil is not completely removed and reacts with fuel deposits and fuel system components. Deposits from diesel fuel are often dissolved by biodiesel and col- lect on fuel filters. As a result, the fuel filter becomes clogged which necessitates its replacement. Most users of Biodiesel reported the need to change the fuel filter one time, after the initial switch to biodiesel. Of course, the amount of deposits and the purity of the biodiesel im- pacts filter use [13], [14].
The aim of this work is to find an acceptable alterna-
tive for Iraqi diesel fuel that has high sulfur content. This alternative must be clean and abundant in the country. The choice directed toward sunflower oil based biodiesel fuel. This paper represents a part of a continuing Iraqi research effort carried out over the years at the Mechani- cal Engineering Department-University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq. The aim is to provide improved knowledge of the combustion characteristics of alternative clean fuels for internal combustion engines that can be used practically and efficiently in the country.

2 EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

2.1 Equipment

The experimental engine used in the recent study is a direct injection, four cylinders, natural aspirated diesel engine type Fiat whose major specifications are shown in Table 1 [15]. The engine is coupled to a hydraulic dyna- mometer to control the subjected load on it by increasing the torque. The concentrations of nitrogen oxide (NOx), unburned hydrocarbon (HC), CO2 and CO measured by Multigas mode 4880 emissions analyzer. Fig. 1 represents an illustrative scheme diagram of the used engine and its accessories.
Emitted particulate matters (PMs) were collected us-
ing a low volume air sampler type Sniffer L-30 and
Whatmann-glass micro-filters. The weight of these filters before and after the end of the sampling operation meas- ured and recorded. Sampling process took one hour each time. Then, the particulate matters (PMs) concentrations were determined by the equation [16]:

TABLE 1. TESTS ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

Engine type

4cyl., 4-stroke

Engine model

TD 313 Diesel engine rig

Combustion type

DI, water cooled, natural aspirated

Displacement

3.666 L

Valve per cylinder

two

Bore

100 mm

Stroke

110 mm

Compression ratio

17

Fuel injection pump

Unit pump

26 mm diameter plunger

Fuel injection nozzle

Hole nozzle

10 nozzle holes

Nozzle hole dia. (0.48mm) Spray angle= 160o

Nozzle opening pressure=40

Mpa

Where: PM = particulate matters concentration in
(µg/m3).

w1 = filter weight before sampling operation in (g).

w2 = filter weight after sampling operation in (g).

Vt = drawn air total volume (m3)

Vt can be found by the equation:

Vt= Qt . t (2)

Fig. 1. An elucidative scheme diagram of the experimental rig

Where: Qt = Elementary and final air flow rate through the device (m3/sec).

t = sampling time in (min).

The filters separated and preserved in plastic bags
temporarily at the end of collecting samples operation until weighted and analyzed the results.
The overall sound pressure measured by precision sound level meter supplied with a microphone type

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4615the device was calibrated by a standard calibrator type pisto phone 4220.
The equations used in calculating engine performance parameters illustrated in [17] and many other researches like [15].

2.2 Preparation of the Used Fuel

Transesterification process is the transformation of one type of an ester into another to produce biodiesel. The fuel preparation process of the present work included: adding 200ml of methanol and 3.5 g of sodium hydroxide (lye) in a beaker and mixing them well for 5 min. One liter of Iraqi sunflowers oil (produced by General Company of Vegetable oils-Bagdad- Iraq) added to the mixture and stirred for 15 minute. The total mixture heated to 65°C. After 15 to 25 minutes, the stirring stopped, and the glyc- erin allowed settling down in the beaker. Finally, the bio- diesel (ester) separated, washed and then boiled to re- move any residual moisture.
The resulted biodiesel was used in this work in three volumetric percentages: 100% biodiesel (called B100), 50% biodiesel + 50% diesel fuel (called B50) and 20% biodiesel
+ 80% diesel fuel (called B20). The performance and emis- sions of the engine fueled and operated with these blends, compared to neat diesel fuel operation characteristics.
Fuel properties of diesel fuel and the constitutions of three blends demonstrated in Table 2. These properties measured at Chemical Engineering Department, Universi- ty of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq. The oxygen fraction in the fuel blends ranged from 5.87 to 11.1 which agree with many researchers [8], [11], [13]. So, it is reasonable to re- gard the effect of oxygen increment in the blends with the biodiesel addition. In the other hand, biodiesel heat value is low, and its cetane number is small compared to diesel fuel. B100 appears to have the lowest heating value and the largest kinematic viscosity and specific gravity. In contrast, the diesel fuel had the largest heating value and the lowest kinematic viscosity and specific gravity.

TABLE 2. TESTED FUELS SPECIFICATIONS

Fuel type

Calorific value (kJ/kG)

Density

(g/dm3)

Viscosity

(mm2/s at

27oC)

Cetane

No.

Flame point

(oC)

Cloud point

(oC)

Pour point

(oC)

Diesel fuel

44227

810

4.23

49

59

-13.8

-29

Biodiesel

(B100)

39873

906

65

38.6

239

-3.7

-12.4

B50

40368

877

44.7

40.6

179

-10.2

-17.833

B20

41654

829

14.38

42.9

112

-11.78

-24.68

2.3 Error Analysis

Measurement accuracy represents the reliance po- tential extent of the study results. The error sources were defined by calibrating the used measuring equipment, and the uncertainty in this study deter- mined. Table 3 shows the measuring device and its calibration accuracy. The uncertainty defined as [17]:

𝑒_𝑅 =

[(𝜕𝑅/(𝜕𝜕_1 ) 𝑒_1 )^2 + (𝜕𝑅/(𝜕𝜕_2 ) 𝑒_2 )^2 + ⋯ +

(𝜕𝑅/(𝜕𝜕_𝑛 ) 𝑒_𝑛 )^2 ]^0.5

(11)
Where:
eR : results uncertainty.
R=function consists of variables or R=R (V1, V2,
…, Vn).
ei: variable uncertainty range.

∂R

PRESENT STUDY

Measurement

accuracy

Temperature measurement

±0.6%

Fuel mass flow measurement

±1%

Air mass flow measurement

±2%

Engine speed measurement

±1.3%

Engine torque measurement

±2.4%

Sound pressure level measurement

±0.67%

Exhaust gases concentrations measurement

±0.82%

PM collection measurement

±1.03%

Sensitive weighting measurement

±0.0034%

This result confirms an uncertainty of less than 5% in the measurement of the present study achieved. For each condition, three tests were conducted to mini- mize random errors in the experiments. From the
results of these experiments for each condition, the
The partial derivative

∂V1


represents the results
average value is reported along with more than 95%
sensitivity of a single variable. Hence, the uncertainty
for the present study results was:

𝑒_𝑅 = [((.6)^2 + (1)^2 + (2)^2 + (1.3)^2 + (2.4)^2

+ (0.67)^2 + (.82)^2 + (1.034)^2

+ (.003)^2 )]^0.5 = ∓3.873 %

TABLE 3. MEASUREMENT TYPE AND ACCURACY FOR THE

confidence intervals.

2.4 Tests Procedure

In the experiments, the three biodiesel blends (B20, B50 & B100) with different biodiesel proportions were used to operate the engine. Meanwhile, the combus-

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tion characteristics and emissions measured and ana- lyzed at the same load and engine speed. Further- more, these engine characteristics were compared to those resulted from fueling the engine with pure die- sel in order to define the effects of the biodiesel fuel on the combustion.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The biodiesel is the only renewable alternative fuel that can be used directly in any diesel engine without the need for conducting some modification. As its properties are similar to those of the diesel fuel de- rived from petroleum. Both can be blended in any proportion without any inconvenience.
Fig. 2 shows the comparison of the brake specific
fuel consumption (bsfc) with brake mean effective
pressure for the used blends. It is evident from the curvthat as the load increases the bsfc decreases for all fuels as expected. In the same time, the bsfc increased with the rise in the concentration of biodiesel fuel in the blends. The engine consumes more fuel with bio- diesel that has the lowest heating value. A slightly higher fuel feeding rate is needed to attain the same engine torque as the other three fuels. The increments in brake specific fuel consumption (bsfc) were 23, 27 and 35.7% for B20, B50 and B100 respectively com-

pared to neat diesel.

due to its lower heating value. Reduction in thermal efficiency by about 3.45% is noticed at full load for B100 compared to diesel fuel.

90 N=1500 rpm, CR=17:1, IT=38°BTDC

85

80

75

70

65 Diesel B20 B50 B100

60

0 20 40 60 80 100

bmep (kN/m2)

Fig. 3. Load effect on volumetric efficiency for the approved fuels at constant engine speed

N=1500 rpm, CR=17:1, IT=38BTDC

35

30

25

20

diesel B20 B50 B100

15

25 N=1500 rpm, CR=17:1, IT=38°BTDC

23

21

0 20 40 60 80 100

bmep (kN/m2)

Fig. 4. Load effect on brake thermal efficiency for the tested fuels at constant engine

19

17

Diesel B20 B50 B100

15

0 20 40 60 80 100

bmep (kN/m2)

Fig. 2. Load effect on bsfc for the tested fuels at constant engine speed.

Fig. 3 presents the volumetric efficiency for the four blends; the biodiesel fuel has the highest efficien- cy due to its high oxygen content, as well as its blends that increase the volumetric efficiency.
Fig. 4 shows the comparison of the brake thermal efficiency with brake means effective pressure for the examined blends. The thermal efficiency of diesel fuel was 30.45% at full load. While the efficiencies of B20, B50 and B100 were 28.8%, 27.9%, and 27% respective- ly. The thermal efficiencies of biodiesel blends are lower compared to diesel fuel. This reduction may be
Fig. 5 compares between the exhaust gas tempera- tures for the four blends. The amount of fuel injected into the combustion chamber of the diesel engine in- creased with engine torque increase. Hence, the ex- haust gas temperature rose with increasing engine load. The burning of the diesel fuel appears to have slightly larger exhaust gas temperatures, particularly at higher engine loads because of its higher heating value. The biodiesel blends had lower exhaust gas temperatures slightly. The lower heating value of the biodiesel blends caused less burning gas temperatures inside the combustion chamber.
Fig. 6 shows the comparison between brake pow- ers (bp) of the four blends at variable engine speeds. The bp of the biodiesel fuel is slightly less than that of diesel at all speeds.

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700

600

500

400

300

200

100

N=1500 rpm, CR=17:1, IT=38°BTDC

Diesel B20 B50 B100


into the combustion chamber of the engine increased with engine speed to obtain the same engine torque. Hence, the exhaust gas temperature rose with increas- ing engine speed. The diesel fuel appears to have slightly larger exhaust gas temperatures at higher en- gine speeds because of its higher heating value. The biodiesel blends had slightly lower exhaust gas tem- peratures due to its lower heating value.

0 20 40 60 80 100

bmep (kN/m2)

Fig. 5. Load effect on exhaust gas temperatures for the used fuels at constant engine speed.

900

800

700

600

CR=17:1, IT= 38°BTDC

Diesel

B20

27

26.5

CR=17:1, IT=38°BTDC

500

400

B50

B100

26

25.5

25

24.5

24

Diesel B20 B50 B100

1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Engine speed (rpm)

Fig. 8. Engine speed effect on exhaust gas temperature for the tested fuels at constant engine load

1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Engine speed (rpm)

Fig. 6. Engine speed effect on brake power for the tested fuels at constant engine load


The effects of fuel type and engine speed on brake specific fuel consumption (bsfc) under constant engine torque as Fig. 7 reveals. The increase of engine speed raised the bsfc of the diesel engine. Because the bio- diesel has a lower heating value, its bsfc must have been larger than diesel fuel. The diesel fuel, which has a higher heating value among the four blends, has the lowest bsfc.
Fig. 9 clarifies the trends of CO emissions with the
engine load for the tested blends under a constant
engine speed (1500 rpm). The CO emissions from burning the four blends appear to decrease with the increase of the engine load. Larger CO emissions at lower load thus observed. However, at higher engine load caused the burning gas temperature inside the combustion chamber to increase. The atomized fuel particles evaporation and mixing with the surround- ing air enhanced, resulted in a larger conversion rate of CO to CO2 emissions, and lower CO emissions. Moreover, the neat biodiesel, which contained oxygen of 9.94 wt. %, could enhance combustion efficiency and reduce the emitted emissions.

0.24

0.22

0.2

0.18

0.16

0.14

0.12

CR=17:1, IT= 38°BTDC

Diesel B20 B50 B100

Fig. 10 manifests that the CO2 emissions from burning the biodiesel blends increased with the in-
crease of engine load. Slightly lower CO2 concentra- tions compared to diesel imply the reduction in its carbon molecules and the increment in oxygen mole- cules somewhat.
Fig. 11 illustrates the comparison of hydrocarbon
emission in the exhaust for the tested fuels. Unburnt
hydrocarbon emission is the direct result of incom-

1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Engine speed (rpm)

Fig. 7. Engine speed effect on bsfc for the tested fuels at constant engine load

Fig. 8 compares the exhaust gas temperatures for burning the four blends. The amount of fuel injected
plete combustion. The hydrocarbon emission is in- creasing with the percentage of diesel fuel mixed with the blend. HC varies from 80 ppm at no load to 35 ppm at full load for diesel fuel, and it varies from
29.56 ppm at no load to 10.9 ppm at full load for B100. Similarly for B20, it varies from 64 ppm at small load to 31 ppm at full load. HC is higher at low loads that may attribute to cooler combustion chamber. Also, gaseous hydrocarbons (vapors) remain along the cyl-

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inder wall and in the crevice volume unburned.
combustion temperature is higher, then higher NOx is formed. In the case of biodiesel blends, high NOx con-

0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0

N=1500 rpm, CR=17:1, IT=38°BTDC

diesel B20 B50 B100

0 20 40 60 80 100

bmep (kN/m2)

centrations resulted by fulfillment of these two fac- tors.
Fig. 13 represents the PM emissions from the used
fuels. The PM contains substantial carbon soot parti-
cles generated when the fuel has no enough oxygen to
react with all the carbon. Also, it generated in the fuel
rich zone of the combustion chamber during the com-
bustion process. From the experimental results, the PM emission from biodiesel fuel and diesel fuel has a few differences in low load level. However, at medi- um and high loads levels the PM concentrations re-

Fig. 9. Engine load effect on CO concentrations for the tested fuels at constant engine speed.

10

N=1500 rpm, CR=17:1, IT=38oBTDC

duced highly for all biodiesel blends compared to die-

sel fuel. The maximum reduction achieved in PM con- centration was about 34.96 % for neat biodiesel fuel compared to diesel at full load.

8 500

6 400

4 300

2 200

N=1500 rpm, CR=17:1, IT=38°BTDC

diesel B20

B50 B100

diesel B20 B50 B100

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

bmep (kN/m2)

100

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

bmep (kN/m2)

Fig. 10. Engine load effect on CO2 concentrations for the used fuels at constant engine speed

Fig. 12. Engine load effect on NOx concentrations for the tested fuels at constant engine speed

100

80

60

N=1500 rpm, CR=17:1, IT=38°BTDC

diesel

B20

B50

B100

N=1500 rpm, CR=17:1, IT=38°BTDC

14

12

10

8

40 6

20 4

2

0 0

Diesel B20 B50 B100

0 20 40 60 80 100

bmep (kN/m2)

Fig. 11. Engine load effect on HC concentrations for the test- ed fuels at constant engine speed

0 20 40 60 80 100

bmep (kN/m2)

Fig. 13. Engine load effect on PM concentrations for the tested fuels at constant engine speed

Fig. 12 clarifies the comparison of NOx emission with brake mean effective pressure for the examined blends. NOx concentrations increased with increase in biodiesel concentrations in the blends. Two important parameters result in the formation of NOx. First pa- rameter is oxygen availability and the second is in- cylinder temperature. Biodiesel has high oxygen con- tent with about 11% higher than diesel fuel. If the
There is a significant reduction in smoke emission for all blends of biodiesel at all loads. This soot free and complete combustion is due to the usage of oxy- genated fuel (biodiesel blends), which substituted for diesel.
Sound or noise increased with increasing load as
Fig. 14 demonstrates. Sound levels for biodiesel
blends were found lower about (9-13%) than the

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sound values of diesel fuel throughout all loads. The minimum reduction (9%) observed in the small loads and the maximum drop (13%) at maximum loads. Combustion improvements due to higher oxygen con- tent in blends reduced noise, although it still higher than accepted limitation, and the rig must be isolated with a proper design and materials to reach accepta- ble levels.

Fig. 16 shows that the CO2 emissions from burning the neat biodiesel and biodiesel blends increased with the increase of engine speed. This occurred because the engine consumes more fuel to increase its speed, and higher fuel burn to produce CO2 . Slightly lower CO2 emissions from burning the biodiesel blends im- ply the effect of less carbon to hydrogen and oxygen atoms percentage.

105

100

95

90

85

80

N=1500 rpm, CR=17:1, IT=38°BTDC

diesel B20

B50 B100

15 CR=17:1, IT=38ºBTDC

13 Diesel B20

11 B50 B100

9

7

5

0 20 40 60 80 100

bmep (kN/m2)

1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Engine speed (rpm)

Fig. 14. Engine load effect on noise level for the tested fuels at constant engine speed

Fig. 16. Engine speed effect on CO2 concentrations for the tested fuels at constant engine load.

0.065

0.055

0.045

0.035

0.025

CR=17:1, IT= 38°BTDC

Diesel

B20

B50

B100

HC concentrations reduced with engine speed in- crease for tested blends as Fig. 17 represents. At low speeds, HC reduced about 50% with B100, and at high speeds it was reduced about 65%. In addition to com- plete combustion due to the mixture turbulence in- crease; the trapping of fuel in crevices and boundary layers reduced. The HC concentration reductions were 20 and 35% for B20 and B50 respectively.

1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Engine speed (rpm)

Fig. 15. Engine speed effect on CO concentrations for the tested fuels at constant engine load.

The trends of CO emissions with the engine speed for the four tested blends under a constant engine torque studied, as Fig. 15 presents. The CO concentra- tions for the examined blends appear to decrease with the increase of the engine speed. In the same hand, larger CO emissions at low engine speeds recorded. However, at higher engine speeds the extent of mix- ing of the atomized fuel particles and the surrounding air was enhanced, and the burning gas temperature inside the combustion chamber increased. As a result, a larger conversion rate of CO to CO2 emissions, and lower CO emissions. More complete combustion and lower CO emissions produced by the neat biodiesel and its blends at higher engine speeds. The biodiesel blends, which contained oxygen of about 11wt. %, enhanced combustion efficiency and shorter ignition delay.

50 CR=17:1, IT= 38°BTDC

40

30

20

10

0 Diesel B20 B50 B100

1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Engine speed (rpm)

Fig. 17. Engine speed effect on UBHC concentrations for the used fuels at constant engine load


Fig. 18 declares that NOx concentrations from burning tested blends under constant engine torque increased with the increase of engine speed. Primarily because of increments in combustion temperature, due to improvement in volumetric efficiency and flow velocity of the reactant mixture at higher engine speeds. The burning of the neat biodiesel released relatively higher NOx emissions, due to the higher

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oxygen content in the chemical structure of this fuel. In contrast, the neat diesel produced lower NOx emis- sions, despite it has a higher heating value compared to biodiesel.

to diesel. These results indicated that the engine oper- ation mode has a significant effect on PM concentra- tions. The measured PM concentrations reductions were 16.847, 28 & 43.34% for B20, B50 and B100 re- spectively compared with diesel fuel.

800

750

700

650

600

CR=17:1, IT= 38°BTDC

Diesel B20 B50 B100

20 CR=17:1, IT= 38°BTDC

15 Diesel B20

B50 B100

10

5

1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Engine speed (rpm)

Fig. 18. Engine speed effect on NOx concentrations for the tested fuels at constant engine load


Fig. 19 depicts the effect of variable engine speeds on combustion noise for the examined blends. As the engine speed increases, the combustion pressure raised for most of the output loads. Many valuable studies demonstrated that the combustion noise de- creased with the engine speed increases [11], [19].

0

1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Engine speed (rpm)

Fig. 20. Engine speed effect on PM concentrations for the examined fuels at constant engine load.

Table 4 represents a comparison between recent study results and the results of some valuable pub- lished paper. These studies vary in engine types, vol- ume, power, and the used biodiesel. However, they all have similar results except for [20]. CO and HC con- centrations increased in the pre-mentioned reference

110

105

100

95

90

85

CR=17:1, IT=38ºBTDC

Diesel B20 B50 B100

may be due to the used biodiesel in the tests where the
researcher didn’t clarify the reason. The other investi-
gations gathered that biodiesel reduces brake thermal
efficiency, CO, HC, and PM concentrations and in- creased bsfc and NOx concentrations.

4. CONCLUSIONS

1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Engine speed (rpm)

Fig. 19. Engine speed effect on noise level for the used fuels at constant engine load.

The increment in engine speed caused a reduction in the ignition delay period of the air-fuel mixtures. Which results in a decline in the pressure rise rate; therefore, the noise levels were reduced. In general, engine noise levels increased from low to medium speeds then it reduced for high speeds. Compared to other fuels diesel fuel still resulting in higher noise levels at maximum speed.
Fig. 20 represents the engine speed variation effect on the emitted PM concentration at medium load (44
kN/m2). PM concentrations reduced significantly with the biodiesel addition. As the figure indicates, PM concentrations decreased with the addition of bi- odiesel blends for all tested engine speeds compared
The biodiesel produced from Iraqi sunflowers oil
by transesterification accompanied by peroxidation.
Four blends include neat diesel, biodiesel, and blends
of the two fuels tested in a direct injection diesel en-
gine. The work conclusions summarized as follows:
1. The brake specific fuel consumption (bsfc) in-
creased with increasing load at constant engine
speed, and when using biodiesel with about 23, 27
and 35.7% for B20, B50 and B100 respectively.
2. Engine volumetric efficiency improved with bio- diesel blends compared with diesel fuel.
3. Engine brake thermal efficiency reduced when operated with biodiesel blends. The lower percent- age was 3.45% when B100 used.
4. Using biodiesel reduces exhaust gas temperatures for all tested loads and engine speed ranges.
5. As a result of higher oxygen content in the bio- diesel structure, fewer CO2 emissions obtained from the variable engine tests.

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International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 6, Issue 4, April-2015 268

ISSN 2229-5518

6. CO emissions reduced with biodiesel operation, but high concentrations observed at low engine loads.
7. Unburnt hydrocarbons emissions reduced highly with B100 and by a respective percentage with other biodiesel blends compared with diesel fuel.
8. NOx emissions increased with biodiesel blends utilization and by increasing engine speed.
9. The trend of CO and UBHC emissions with the engine speed was adverse: the emissions de- creased with the engine speed for the tested fuels with about 50% in average.
10. Engine noise increases with increasing load. The
biodiesel combustion reduced engine noise with
about 11% compared with neat diesel fuel.

TABLE 4. A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE RECENT STUDY RESULTS AND OTHER STUDIES

Ref.

Biodiesel origin

Engine type

Blend rate

Brake thermal eff.

bsfc

CO

HC

NOx

PM

Recent study

sunflowers

Fiat 3333cc

100%

-3.45%

+35.7%

-50%

-68.1%

+20.4%

-34.9 %

Liu and Lin,

2012 [21]

Waste-cooking- oil Biodiesel

Cummins

Turbocharged

488cc

100%

-

-

-8.65%

-23.4%

+1.14%

-11.6%

Vaneet,

2012 [19]

waste mustard oil

Kirloskar

Single c

20%

-16.6

+28.08

+14.11

+111%

+22.2%

-

Altun, 2011 [20]

inedible animal tallow methyl esters

Mitsubishi Can- ter

4C, 1563cc

100%

-

+6%

-11.8%

-

-18.6%

-

Caichan and Ah- med, 2013 [10]

Disposal Yellow

Grease

Fiat 3333cc

100%

-

+23.3%

-43.2%

-46.7%

20.52%

-29.4 %

Kalligeros et al, 2003 [22]

Olive oil

Petter AV1-LAB, single c, 553cc

50%

-

+1.06%

-35%

-49.1%

-14.4%

-18.1%

REFERENCES

[1] Ch. Arapatsakos, D. Christoforidis, G. Sarantitis, and D. Giannopoulos, “Fuel Mixtures of Diesel-Maize Oil,” International Journal of Energy, vo;. 2, no. 3, pp. 43-50, 2008.

[2] J.A. Yamin, N. Sakhnini, A. Sakhrieh, and M. Hamdan, “Performance

of CI Engines Using Biodiesel as Fuel,” GCREEDER 2009, Am-

man‐Jordan, March 31st – April 2nd 2009.

[3] N.E. Boulifi, A. Bouaid, M. Martinez, and J. Aracil, “Process Optimiza-

tion for Biodiesel Production from Corn Oil and its Oxidative Stabil- ity,” Hindawi Publishing Corporation, International Journal of Chemical Engineering, Article ID 518070, pp. 1- 9, 2010.

[4] T. Blades, “BTL – Next Generation Bio-Fuel! IEA Bio-Energy Task 39,”

Rotterdam, 9-10 January, 2008.

[5] A. Bouaid, M. Martinez, and J. Aracil, “Production of Biodiesel from Bioethanol and Brassica Carinata Oil: Oxidation Stability Study,” Bio- resource Technology, vol. 100, no. 7, pp. 2234‐2239, 2009.

[6] D.C. Elliott, “Analysis and Upgrading of Biomass Liquefaction Prod-

ucts,” Final report, vol. 4, IEA Co-operative project D1 Biomass Lique- faction Test Facility Project, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA, 87 p., 2007.

[7] J. Kaufman, “Renewable Diesel,” SAE Government/Industry Meeting, ConocoPhillips, May, 2007.

[8] M.T. Chaichan and D.S. Al-Zubaidi, Practical Study of Performance and Emissions of Diesel Engine Using Biodiesel Fuels,” Association of Arab Universities Journal of Engineering Science, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 23-35,

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[9] S. Sivalakshmi, and T. Balusamy, “Research on Di-ethyl Ether as an Oxygenated Additive with Biodiesel in CI Engine,” Proceeding to In- ternational Conference on Energy and Sustainable Development: Is- sues and Strategies (ESD 2010), Chiang Mai, Thailand, 2010.

[10] S. Imtenan, H.H. Masjuki, M. Varman, M.I. Arbab, H. Sajjad, F.I.M.

Rizwanul, M.J. Abedin and A.S.M. Hasib, “Emission and Performance

Improvement Analysis of Biodiesel-Diesel Blends with Additives,”

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[11] M.T. Chaichan and S.T. Ahmed, “Evaluation of Performance and Emissions Characteristics for Compression Ignition Engine Operated with Disposal Yellow Grease,” International Journal of Engineering and Science, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 111-122, 2013.

[12] C.Y. Lin and H.A. Lin, “Engine Performance and Emission Character- istics of a Three-Phase Emulsion of Biodiesel Produced by Peroxida- tion,” Fuel Processing Technology, vol. 88, pp. 35–41, 2007.

[13] G.P. Prajapati, P.R. Panchal and T.M. Patel, “Performance and Emis- sion Characteristics of C.I. Engine Fuelled with Diesel-Biodiesel Blends, IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE), vol. 11, no. 3 Ver. II, pp. 114-121, 2014.

[14] D. Kodjak, “The Low Carbon Fuel Standard: A Revolutionary New Climate Policy Now Under Development,” The International Confer- ence on Transport and Environment: A Global Challenge, Milan, Italy, March 2007.

[15] S.T. Ahmed and M.T. Chaichan, Effect of Fuel Cetane Number on

Multi-Cylinders Direct Injection Diesel Engine Performance and Emis- sions, Al-Khwarizmi Eng. Journal, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 65-75, 2012.

[16] L. McWilliam and T. Megaritis, “Experimental Investigation of The

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Effect of Combined Hydrogen and Diesel Combustion on the Particu- late Size Distribution from a HSDI Diesel Engine,” International Journal of Vehicle Design, vol. 50, no. 1-4, pp. 107-123, 2008.

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NOTATIONS

bmep

brake mean effective pressure

BTE

brake thermal efficiency

CO2

carbon dioxide

CO

carbon monoxide

CN

cetane number

CR

compression ratio

CA

crank angle

°BTDC

degree before top dead centre

DI

direct injection

N

engine speed (rpm)

T

engine torque

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