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Long-Term Operation of a Turbocharged Diesel Engine on Soybean Oil Fuel Blends
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Abstract
It has been known for more than 50 years that some diesel engines could be fueled for short periods with vegetable oils, either neat or with hydrocarbon fuel additives. World overproduction of soybean oil is increasing its potential as an economical diesel fuel extender. The subject test program was undertaken to determine long-term effects of this alternate fuel on a modern, high-speed diesel engine.
The choice of a vegetable oil (soybean oil) as an alternative diesel engine fuel or fuel extender rather than the other major biomass motor fuel (ethanol) is related to the relative properties of these fuels. The common U.S. vegetable oils are much closer to hydrocarbon (No. 2D) diesel fuel than is ethanol in both cetane rating and volumetric energy content. Unlike ethanol, the vegetable oils can be blended 1:1 with No. 2D fuel to produce engine power and volumetric fuel consumption levels practically identical to those obtained with 100% No. 2D fuel. However, engine operation and laboratory bench tests demonstrated that some fuel blends were unsatisfactory for continuous use. The reasons for these difficulties were determined and a satisfactory fuel blend was proven through prolonged testing.
The results of the soybean oil fuel extender tests are considered to be particularly significant because:
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Soybean oil is the principal U.S. grown vegetable oil, representing about 85% of possible current national production.
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The total duration of the tests (over 1,000 hours) is the longest known U.S. operation of a single engine on any type of vegetable oil fuel.
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Successful operation was obtained under standard engine test conditions without any engine modification or adjustment.
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From an economic standpoint, soybean oil is closer to the cost of No. 2D fuel than any common U.S. vegetable oil.
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Ziemke, M., Peters, J., and Schroer, B., "Long-Term Operation of a Turbocharged Diesel Engine on Soybean Oil Fuel Blends," SAE Technical Paper 831222, 1983, https://doi.org/10.4271/831222.Also In
References
- Adams, Curtis H., et al “Study on Production, Marketing and Utilization of Degummed Soybean Oil as a Diesel Fuel Extender” UAH Report No. 297 The University of Alabama and Gold Kist, Inc. November 1981
- Bruwer, J. J., et al “The Utilization of Sunflower Seed Oil as a Renewable Fuel for Diesel Engines”, In “Agricultural Energy”, Vol. 2, Biomass Energy/Crop Production” ASAE Publication 4-81 American Society of Agricultural Engineers St. Joseph, Michigan 385 390 April 1981
- Quick, G. R. “Developments in Use of Vegetable Oils as Fuel for Diesel Engines” Paper No. 80-1525 presented at the American Society of Agricultural Engineers 1980 Winter Meeting Chicago, Illinois December 2-5 1980
- Adams, C. H., et al “investigation of Plant Oil (Soybean) as a Diesel Fuel Extender” presented at American Oil Chemists Society Annual Meeting Toronto, Canada May 5 1982
- Peters, J. F., et al “Investigation of Soybean Oil as a Diesel Extender” presented at the 34th Annual Southeastern Regional Meeting American Chemical Society November 3-5 1982