Results of an Off-Road Diesel Engine Driven With Different Animal Fat Based Biofuels

Abstract

The demand for increased use of biofuels in both on- and off-road diesel engines is growing. The carbon dioxide emissions must be reduced, but the increase in the petroleum prices and possible shortage of crude oil also promote the interest in biofuels. Simultaneously, exhaust pollutants of diesel engines have to be drastically reduced. The nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) form the main challenge for diesel exhaust cleaning. Despite the emissions reduction, the fuel economy of the engines should be kept at a sufficient level to also prevent the CO2 increase. In the present study, a turbocharged, inter-cooled direct-injection off-road diesel engine was driven with two animal fat based bio-fuels, namely steelhead (or rainbow trout) methyl ester (StME) and crude steelhead oil (StO). Crude or neat biofuels are also of interest since medium-speed engines are able to burn unrefined bio-oils. A vegetable oil based fuel, canola oil methyl ester (RME) served as the main reference biofuel. The baseline results were measured with commercial low-sulfur diesel fuel oil (DFO). The main aim of the project was to clarify how the waste-derived animal fat based biofuels are suited to engine use. The performance and emissions characteristics of the engine were determined. In addition to regulated emissions, the particle size distributions were also examined. The results showed that the studied animal fat derived ester was very suitable for the off-road test engine. NOx increased but hydrocarbons (HC), smoke, and PM mass decreased (by up to 60%) while thermal efficiency and carbon monoxide (CO) remained approximately unchanged. The particle number emissions were competitive relative to DFO. Raw fish oil StO reduced HC emissions but increased NOx and particle mass and number emissions. CO and smoke behaved ambiguously, so further investigation is needed for this fuel.

The first generation biodiesel: The effects of raw material on physical properties, oxidation stability and emissions

“…Different researches indicate that biodiesel reduces most emissions (CO 2 , CO, HC and particle emissions) except for the NOx emissions which increases slightly [2][3][4][5]. This problem is said to be the result of diesel engines being designed for fossil fuels and the characteristics of biodiesel fuel (chemical and physical) differ greatly from those of regular diesel fuel oil (DFO).…”

Performance and Emissions of a Medium-Speed Engine Driven with Sustainable Options of Liquid Fuels

“…Fuels originating from waste or residue are preferred since their GHG emissions are low. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] In addition to renewable alternatives, power and engine companies are interested in condensates or side streams of oil and gas production. The aim is to use side streams for on-site power in oil and gas fields and stop flaring: the World Bank has set a global target to eliminate routine gas flaring by 2030.…”