Straight vegetable Oil Run Diesel Engine - A Compromise Solution

The fuel crises of the 1970's and early 1980's focused attention on the desirability of developing alternative fuels and decreasing the dependency on petroleum-based fuels. Vegetable oils and derivatives are among the materials that were extensively investigated as alternative diesel fuels. Vegetable oils are a potential alternative to the partial or total substitution of diesel fuels. It was known that short-term engine tests have been successful with vegetable oils; however, long-term tests have revealed the fuel limitations regarding lubricating oil contamination, deposits on engine surfaces and performance problems. This study shows how the added advantages of air-cooled engine over the water-cooled engine become the preferred choice for the SVO run diesel engine. Based on the 100 hrs SVO run diesel engine, the modification has been carried out for the long run. Different emission measurements were carried out and studied in comparison with conventional diesel. The effect of different fuel injection timings and different fuel temperatures were also carried out. For every 50 hrs interval of endurance test, the performance, fuel injection system condition, fuel filter condition and start-stop phenomenon were studied. The lubricating oil samples were analyzed through out the endurance test. The oil analysis study was carried out for different ware of material, fuel dilution, soot percentage and additives. After complete endurance test the components were studied for durability. The complete study revealed, how the straight vegetable oil can be used as a fuel for the present diesel engine with certain modification. Also, how the SVO can be considered as an alternate fuel for diesel engine but in compromised sense.