Diesel Engine Operation and Exhaust Emissions When Fueled with Animal Fats

The purpose of this study is to compare animal fats with conventional gas oil, plant oil methyl esters and soybean oil when fueling a diesel engine. We experimentally evaluated performance and exhaust emissions of a single-cylinder, four-stroke direct injection diesel engine. We found that (1) NOx emissions on animal fat are the lowest of the four fuels at all load conditions. (2) PM emissions on animal fat are rather higher than plant oil and lower than gas oil at high load range. (3) CO and THC emissions on animal fat are higher than gas oil and plant oil methyl ester at low load conditions, but at high load range, CO and THC emissions on animal fat are the lowest all kind of fuels. From our experimental results, animal fat are considered renewable and ecologically acceptable fuels for diesel engine especially at the high load range. Diesel generator is operating on gelatinous animal fat and a Japanese patent is requested.