Use of biofuels derived from biomass, bioethanol, biodiesel,
etc., are being seriously viewed from multidimensional perspective
of depleting fossil fuel resources, environmental health, energy
security, agrarian economy and new avenues of gainful employment.
For the best use of available biofuels in diesel, a new blend was
prepared which constituted 85% diesel + 5% ethanol + 10% biodiesel
and was evaluated on Light Commercial Vehicle. This paper discusses
the systematic performance evaluation of blended fuels and is
compared with neat diesel with respect to lubricity, fuel economy
in the steady speed ranges of 40 - 70 km/hr, driving cycle fuel
economy, exhaust emissions like CO, HC, CO₂, O₂, NOx,
smoke and characterization of particulates including particle size
distribution. Synergy of 5% ethanol + 10% biodiesel in diesel was
compared with diesel when the fuel was used as individual blends.
The test results of these blends showed reduction in NOx
emissions in WOT condition and increase in HC emissions both in RLS
& WOT condition. The average particulates diameter and mass
decreases with 5% ethanol and 5% ethanol + 10% biodiesel blend in
diesel. Reduction of CO₂ and increase in O₂ was also observed with
these biofuel blends; however, there was no significant change in
CO emissions.