A Greening the Diesel: Vegetable Oil Biodiesel Blends for Cleaner Emissions and Improved Direct Injection Diesel Engine performance

Authors

Medhat Elkelawy Prof. Dr, Eng., Mechanical engineering department, Faculty of Engineering, Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt – Email: medhat.elkelawy@pua.edu.eg Department of Mechanical Power Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Tanta, EgyptFollow
Hagar Alm-Eldin Bastawissi, Department of Mechanical Power Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Tanta, EgyptFollow
E. A. El Shenawy Prof. Dr., Mechanical Power Engineering Departments, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Tanta, EgyptFollow
Mustafa Mohamed Ouda, 4Department of Mechanical Power Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Tanta, EgyptFollow

DOI

10.70259/engJER.2024.861836

Abstract

In this study, we conducted comprehensive experiments to assess and compare the performance of pure diesel fuel against biodiesel produced from corn oil in various blend ratios (15/85, 30/70, 45/55, and 60/40) in a conventional four-stroke, direct-injection diesel engine, fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber at the end of the compression stroke, allowing for efficient combustion and power generation over four distinct phases: intake, compression, power, and exhaust. Each fuel blend was tested at an engine speed of 16,000 rpm across different load conditions (low, medium, and high). Key performance metrics, including volumetric fuel consumption, exhaust smoke, and emissions of regulated gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and total unburned hydrocarbons (HC), were systematically measured. From these measurements, specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency were derived. We analyzed the differences in performance and emissions between the various blends and pure diesel fuel to better understand the impact of vegetable oil incorporation. Additionally, theoretical principles in diesel engine combustion, considering the unique physical and chemical properties of each fuel blend, were employed to facilitate a nuanced interpretation of the observed engine performance and emissions.

Recommended Citation

Elkelawy, Medhat Prof. Dr, Eng.; Bastawissi, Hagar Alm-Eldin; El Shenawy, E. A. Prof. Dr.; and Ouda, Mustafa Mohamed (2024) "A Greening the Diesel: Vegetable Oil Biodiesel Blends for Cleaner Emissions and Improved Direct Injection Diesel Engine performance," Journal of Engineering Research: Vol. 8: Iss. 6, Article 5.
DOI: 10.70259/engJER.2024.861836
Available at: https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/erjeng/vol8/iss6/5