The paper evaluates the possibility of using different biodiesel blends (mixture of diesel fuel and Fatty Acid Methyl Esters) in modern Euro 4/ Euro 5 direct-injection, common-rail, turbocharged, light-duty diesel engines. The influence of different quantity of RME in biodiesel blends (B5, B20, B30) on the emission measurement of gaseous pollutants, such as: carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter (PM) for light-duty-vehicle (LDV) during NEDC cycle on the chassis dynamometer as well as engine performance and reliability in engine dyno tests were analysed. All test results presented have been to standard diesel fuel.
The measurement and analysis illustrate the capability of modern light-duty European diesel engines fueled with low and medium percentages of RME in biodiesel fuel with few problems. Engine performance and exhaust emissions are affected by the proportion of RME in biodiesel due to the different chemical and physical properties of fuel blends. The use of biodiesel decreases the solid carbon fraction of particulate matter as there is no sulfur in the fuel.
The results obtained on the chassis dynamometer during NEDC cycle showed a significant reduction in total particulate mass: 5% for B5, 10% for B20 and 21% for B30. The HC emissions during NEDC cycle were decreased by 11% for B5, 8% for B20 and 3% for B30. The NOx emissions were increased by 6% for B5 and B30 and by 9% for B20.
In the research on the engine test bed during full load performance the HC and CO emissions decreases were observed using the biodiesel fuels. The CO emissions were decreased on average by 12% for B5 and by 30% for B20. The HC emissions were decreased on average by 16% for B5 and B20. Smoke results for B20 were on average 20% lower than those with diesel fuel. The maximum engine power and the maximum torque for B5 and B20 fuel were comparable to standard diesel oil.