Book Description

Biodiesel has been a promising clean alternative fuel to fossil fuels, which reduces the emissions that are released by fossil fuels and possibly reduces the energy crisis caused by the exhaustion of petroleum resources in the near future. Biodiesel is replacing diesel as an alternative fuel for internal combustion engines. Previous research studies have shown that biodiesel greatly reduces carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC) and particulate matter (PM) emissions compared to diesel fuels. At present, B20 (20% biodiesel in the total fuel mix) is being used commonly due to its material compatibility to changing weather conditions, emission benefits and costs. In this study biodiesel blends B5, B10 and B50 were combusted to investigate how the engine conditions influence the emission concentrations of H2, CO, CH4, CO2, N2 and morphological data of particulate matter. Different emission samples were collected for a certain range of temperatures and pressures. The samples were analyzed using Gas Chromatography and the particulate matter was analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope images. The samples of different biodiesel blends were then compared with the emissions from B20 and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel at the same temperature and pressure ranges. From the results under varied tested conditions it has been inferred that, for low H2 emissions, B5 combustion under low temperatures and high pressures is preferred. For low CO emissions, B20 combustion under high temperatures and pressures is preferred. For low N2 emissions, B5 combustion under low temperatures and high pressures is preferred. For low CH4 emissions, B5 combustion under low temperatures and high pressures is preferred. For low CO2 emissions, ULSD combustion under low temperatures and low pressures is preferred. H2 emissions have decreased as the biodiesel blend increased. CO was observed to increase with the blend. The emissions were comparatively lower under low temperatures. N2 showed an increasing trend with the blend. Low temperatures and high pressure reduced the emissions. Not much variation was observed for CH4 for the blends under the tested conditions. The CO2 emission from the results was observed to be on an increasing trend except for B20. Under higher pressures and temperatures CO2 emissions were lower for all the blends except for B20. ULSD showed lower emissions under low temperatures and varying pressures compared to biodiesel. B5 showed lower emissions under lower temperatures and higher pressures. B10 showed the least emissions under lower temperatures and lower pressures. B20 showed lower emissions under high pressures and varying temperatures. B50 showed the least emissions under lower temperatures and higher pressures except for CO2 which showed lower emissions under higher temperatures and pressures.