The Use of Biodiesel in Diesel Engines

Study About Nitrogen Oxide Emissions and Fuel Consumption in Diesel Engines Fueled with B20

“…Since all engines are produced assuming that they will consume petroleum diesel fuel, it is important to define a specific methodology for this kind of studies, including the way how different fuels affect engine efficiency and performance. It is expected that the use of biodiesel, with different properties that interact differently with injection system and combustion process, will certainly produce effects on emissions and consumption [10]. Furthermore, there is a certain inadequacy of the regulated cycles for engine homologation to reflect the proper effects of changing from petroleum diesel to biodiesel in a certain proportion.…”

“…Given the lower amount of available energy per unit mass of biodiesel compared to diesel, to provide the same amount of energy required by the engine, it would be expected an increase in fuel consumption when biodiesel was used. However, biodiesel affects engine combustion and the consequent emissions [10] existing several conditions that contribute to this behavior. These conditions are higher density of biodiesel, because fuel supply control is made on a volume basis; the existence of oxygen in biodiesel that can affect the thermal yield and other properties such as viscosity; the cetane number among others that affects how the fuel mixes in the heated air inside the cylinder and influences the way energy is released.…”