Browse Topic: Biodiesel

Items (942)
Find
Biofuel Effect on Regeneration Capability and Soot Reactivity in SCRoF Systems2026-01-07507/1/2026
Biodiesel blends (B7, B20, B100) were evaluated in a Stage V-compliant SCR on Filter (SCRoF) system for heavy-duty applications to quantify soot reactivity and filter regeneration capability. Compared to conventional diesel (B7), B20 showed slightly faster regeneration performance under real-driving conditions, while B100 resulted in reduced particulate formation and higher soot reactivity, with more intense exothermic events requiring careful management. These differences are attributed to the distinct physical-chemical properties of the fuels (oxygen content, lower heating value) and their interaction with Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC)/SCRoF. All tests were conducted on an engine dynamometer with a Cursor 9 FPT (Fiat Powertrain). Findings are discussed in the context of EU Stage V limits and practical control strategies for heavy-duty applications.
Costa, Simone
EDITORIAL: Diversification key for sustainable fleets26TOFHP06_046/1/2026
We hear it often at industry events, in keynote speeches and during expert panel discussions: There is no silver bullet. Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America, says as much in this issue's Q&A (page 44). “Electric is one solution, but biodiesel is another solution, and hydrogen is, too. So we have these different fuel solutions to get to better sustainability.”
Gehm, Ryan
IN FUEL CONTROL26TOFHP06_026/1/2026
How to ensure off-highway combustion systems operate with sufficient control to meet tightening emissions standards and evolving fuel landscapes without sacrificing reliability. Off-highway equipment is being asked to do more with less. Less margin for emissions, less tolerance for downtime and less room for inefficiency, while operating under some of the most demanding duty cycles in the transport sector. Tier 4 and Tier 5 emissions standards have reshaped engine calibration strategies. Renewable diesel and biodiesel blends are entering worksites and farms at scale. At the same time, construction, mining and agricultural machines are expected to run for 20-25 years, often at sustained high load and far from service infrastructure. In this environment, combustion systems are far from being phased out.
Anderson, Todd
Combustion and Emission Characteristics of Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel in a 4-Stroke Locomotive Engine2026-01-03154/7/2026
Rail transportation in North America consumes over 4 billion gallons of diesel fuel [1]. This is raising energy security and supply chain resilience concerns. Adopting renewable or alternative fuels is a practical approach to reduce petroleum dependence and improve supply security. The objective of this paper is to investigate the combustion and emission characteristics of biodiesel and renewable diesel as drop-in fuels without engine modification. In this study, a single-cylinder, four-stroke locomotive engine was employed to investigate the combustion and emissions characteristics of four fuels: conventional diesel No. 2, plant-based biodiesel, animal-based biodiesel, and renewable diesel. The experimental campaign was carried out under both part-load and full-load operating conditions, with injection duration adjusted to achieve the targeted engine load and speed. Results indicate that both biodiesel fuels and renewable diesel deliver comparable peak in-cylinder pressure and brake thermal. efficiency relative to No. 2 diesel, demonstrating their possible use as drop-in fuels. Reductions in smoke emissions were observed for both biodiesels and renewable diesel fuels. However, plant-based and animal-based biodiesels both showed increases in NOx emissions under part-load conditions. At full load, elevated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) ratios suppressed NOx formation across fuels, limiting assessment of biodiesel-specific NOx effects. Among the fuels tested, renewable diesel provided an additional advantage: reduced CO₂ emissions compared to both biodiesels. This study suggests that renewable diesel is a promising option for rail applications, combining operational performance comparable to petroleum diesel with reduced smoke and CO₂ emissions. Biodiesel, while effective at reducing smoke, may require further strategies to control NOx emissions.
Ewphun, Pop-Paul, Biruduganti, Munidhar, El-Hannouny, Essam, Longman, Douglas, Fu, Xiao, Subramanya, Raghavendra
Technical Outlook on the Potential of HVO and Biodiesel Blends for Cleaner Combustion2026-01-03164/7/2026
The increasing need to decarbonize the transport sector is accelerating the adoption of renewable and low-carbon fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and biodiesel as sustainable substitutes for fossil diesel. These fuels are evaluated as drop-in solutions requiring no engine recalibration, enabling immediate GHG emission reduction in existing diesel fleets. This study experimentally investigates the combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of a turbocharged common-rail two-cylinder diesel engine (Kohler LWD 442 CRS) operated with conventional fossil Diesel, pure HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), and an HVOB20 blend (80% HVO and 20% biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil and animal fats). Tests were carried out under steady-state conditions at the DIIEM Engine Laboratory of Roma Tre University. The analysis focused on in-cylinder pressure evolution, brake power, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and both regulated and unregulated emissions. Regulated species include carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and particulate number concentration (PNC > 23 nm, PMP-compliant), while unregulated emissions cover non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), formaldehyde (HCHO), nitrous oxide (N₂O). CO and NMHC are key indicators of incomplete combustion: CO results from partial oxidation of carbon during fuel burning, and NMHC represents the fraction of unburned hydrocarbons excluding methane. Both pollutants decreased markedly with renewable fuels, indicating a more complete oxidation process promoted by HVO’s paraffinic composition and FAME’s oxygenated nature. Experimental results show that HVO and HVOB20 slightly increase brake torque and reduce BSFC compared with fossil diesel, despite their lower density and heating value. Combustion remained stable across all operating conditions, with negligible variations in ignition delay and pressure rise rate. NOₓ emissions were comparable or marginally higher at medium engine speeds, likely due to faster ignition and elevated combustion temperatures. Unregulated species such as HCHO and N₂O decreased or remained negligible with increasing renewable content, while PNC and count mean diameter (CMD) were significantly reduced, confirming cleaner combustion and reduced soot formation. Overall, both HVO and HVOB20 demonstrated improved combustion efficiency and emission performance while ensuring full engine operability without calibration adjustments. These findings confirm the technical viability of renewable diesel fuels as immediate, drop-in solutions for reducing GHG emissions.
Zaccai, Martina, Chiavola, Ornella, Palmieri, Fulvio, Verdoliva, Francesco
Challenges to Ranking Diesel Fuels for NO x Emissions Using a Constant-Volume Combustion Chamber2026-01-03484/7/2026
The market is witnessing an unprecedented proliferation of low-emission fuel components. To effectively evaluate the suitability of these novel fuels for engine applications, fuel blenders and original equipment manufacturers require rapid and reliable assessment methodologies. Traditionally, such evaluations rely on comprehensive engine testing, which, while thorough, is both time-intensive and costly. In response to the growing diversity of emerging fuel options, this work aims to establish a streamlined screening approach capable of effectively replicating the outcomes of full-scale engine testing. We examined the use of a constant volume combustion chamber for the measurement of fuel effects on NOx emissions, with the goal of developing a method to rapidly screen or rank fuels in a small - volume experiment. A small amount of fuel was injected into air at 650°C and 20 bar, where it ignited and burned. The chamber was sampled post-combustion using a chemiluminescence NOx analyzer. Extensive sampling method development was required to obtain repeatable results. Seven hydrocarbon fuels and two biodiesel fuels were tested, all of which have shown difference in NOx emissions in past engine studies. When using a single injection event to deliver the same amount of fuel energy, the test method could not clearly demonstrate the difference in NOx emissions between the hydrocarbon fuels as reported in engine combustion studies. Heat release rate analysis suggested this was caused by large differences in ignition delay and premixed burn fraction for the fuels tested. To improve this, a dual-injection strategy was used. It included a small “pilot” injection followed by a main injection, timed based on each fuel’s ignition delay to coincide with the pilot heat release. This strategy helped reduce differences in heat release caused by how quickly each fuel ignites. For hydrocarbon fuels, this approach revealed the expected relationship between NOx emissions and fuel type. Two soy biodiesel samples did not show higher NOx as observed in engine studies. This suggests that the current test method may not fully reflect engine conditions where biodiesel tends to produce more NOx. Further improvements in test method and setup are recommended to better align constant volume chamber conditions with engine conditions under which biodiesel shows increased NOx emissions.
Luecke, Jon, Rahimi, Mohammad, Mohamed, Samah, Naser, Nimal, Chausalkar, Abhijeet, McCormick, Robert
New Graphite-Based Catalyst in Biodiesel Production04-19-02-00093/20/2026
Climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels have increased the need for renewable energy sources such as biodiesel. Biodiesel is an environmentally friendly fuel derived from various vegetable oils through a process known as transesterification. In this study, a new graphite-based heterogeneous catalyst was developed by modifying it Na2CO3, K2CO3, Al2O3 and was used for biodiesel production from linseed, cottonseed, sunflower, olive oils. Catalyst activity gradually decreased from 90.0 to 76.7% for cottonseed oil, from 93.0 to 76.0% for olive oil, from 95.0 to 77.0% for sunflower oil, and from 89.0 to 69.0% for linseed oil after the fourth operation. The fuel properties of the obtained biodiesel samples were investigated and the most favorable characteristics of cottonseed oil–based biodiesel were found to be d 4 20 = 0.8448, ν 40 = 3.3820, flash point of 93°C. Based on the X-ray broad peaks at 22.8° and 26.4°, we can note that after the four-time reaction cycle, the structure of the catalyst was destroyed to expanded and pure graphite with the loss of catalytic activity. Additionally, the influence of the amount of oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and saturated acyl groups in oil samples on exploitation properties was investigated by NMR spectroscopy.
Mamedov, Ibrahim, Mamedova, Gulben, Mamedova, Yegana
CFD Simulation of Combustion and Emission Characteristics of Pure Spirulina Microalgae Biodiesel in a Single-Cylinder DI Diesel Engine2026-28-00432/12/2026
In this study, the combustion and emission characteristics of a single-cylinder direct injection (DI) diesel engine fueled with Spirulina biodiesel along with diesel blends were examined using a combined CFD and thermodynamic simulation framework. Three test fuels, including pure diesel (D100), Spirulina biodiesel blends (B20 and B40), and pure Spirulina biodiesel (B100), were analysed at 1500 rpm under full load. In the first stage, CFD simulations were performed in ANSYS Fluent, where the Discrete Phase Model (DPM) was applied to capture spray atomization and droplet evaporation, while a non-premixed combustion model coupled with the RNG k-ε turbulence model was employed to resolve in-cylinder flow and heat release dynamics. Subsequently, the Diesel-RK software was utilised to predict engine performance and exhaust emissions based on compression ratios (18.5) and injection timings. Results from the CFD analysis revealed faster atomization and reduced ignition delay for biodiesel blends compared with pure diesel, supported by enhanced cylinder pressure development. Diesel-RK simulations indicated that Spirulina biodiesel blends (B20) generally improved brake thermal efficiency at higher compression ratios while increasing brake specific fuel consumption due to their lower calorific value. Emission analysis showed consistent reductions in CO, HC, and smoke capacity with higher biodiesel content, while NOx emissions exhibited a rising trend. The findings confirm Spirulina biodiesel (B20) as a viable renewable fuel and highlight simulation-driven strategies for optimising compression ratio and injection timing in CI engines..
Kumar, B Varun
Enhancing Combustion, Performance and Emission Profiles Using Kapok Methyl Ester Blends with Hydrogen2026-28-00582/12/2026
This study investigates the potential of using a dual green alternative fuel combination, the one is hydrogen fuel and another one is biodiesel for enhancing the Performance, combustion and emission profile of a compression ignition engine. The kapok oil biodiesel was blended with Diesel in proportions of 20% (K20) and 40% (K40) by volume. The hydrogen gas was supplied at a constant flow of 4 liter per minute (LPM). The experimental fuels are neat diesel D100, K20 (80% Diesel and 20 % kapok methyl ester), K40 (60% Diesel + 40 % Kapok methyl ester), K20 + H4L (K20 with 4 LPM hydrogen) and K40+H4L (K40 with 4 LPM hydrogen). These test blends are investigated in a single cylinder direct injection CI engine under 0% to 100% load conditions at a fixed speed of 1500 rpm combustion, and emissions characteristic were evaluated and compared with base fuel. The outcomes indicated that the use of B20 and B40 blends without hydrogen led to reduced BTE because of their lower cetane number and calorific value. Additionally, higher viscosity of the blends resulted in increased BFSC. However, the introduction of hydrogen and the K20H fuel blend demonstrated notable emission improvements compared to conventional diesel, achieving reductions of 9–11% in unburned hydrocarbons, 5.3% in carbon monoxide, and approximately 8% in nitrogen oxides (NOₓ). These findings highlight the potential of K20H as a cleaner alternative fuel.
Anbarasan, B, M, Kumaresan, Balamurugan, S, Rajesh, Munnusamy
Comparative Journey Towards Sustainable Energy: CNG and Bio-Diesel Fuels in India2026-26-01161/16/2026
India being highly populated and developing country, the demand for various alternative fuel is increasing drastically. It is driven by the need to reduce dependency on traditional fossil fuels & reduce impact on environmental issues like Greenhouse gas, emissions & pollution. The potential options, CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) & Biodiesel, are becoming increasingly popular and important. Biodiesel, a renewable fuel which is produced from waste materials & crops which grown repeatedly & easily available while CNG is more sustainable than diesel as natural gas is a cleaner-burning fossil fuel in comparison to coal or oil. This paper will focus on comparison between basic properties of Diesel, CNG & Biodiesel. In this study will also focus on survey of various Government initiatives, policies & infrastructural development which are evolving to encourage the usage of CNG & Biodiesel. These fuels are emerging as promising alternative contenders to traditional diesel. It has the potential to reduce carbon footprints, making them environment friendly & more sustainable energy options. This survey also summaries the industry motivation from govt initiatives to promote the aim of cleaner transportation & its transition towards future sustainable energy. This study presents a comparative journey of CNG & Biodiesel in India. Key parameters like fuel properties, feedstocks and its availability, storage and handling, product integration, emissions and endurance performance assessments, customer acceptability etc. are considered for understanding these fuels in a better way. Also, it will highlight the key bottlenecks, technical challenges & the obstacles hindering the widespread adoption of Biodiesel as compared to CNG. The paper also elaborates the challenges on sustainability of biodiesel and CNG fuels and the futuristic opportunities in carbon neutral fuels like H2. The paper concludes with the comparative study of CNG & Biodiesel on various aspects from ideation to execution.
Bondada, Nandita, Baruah, Labanya, Mokhadkar, Rahul
Experimental Investigation of Additive Formulations for Ethanol Use in Compression Ignition Engines Using a Rapid Compression Machine2025-36-018512/18/2025
The transition to renewable fuels is critical to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality in the transportation sector. Ethanol has emerged as a promising biofuel for compression ignition (CI) engines due to its renewability and low-carbon profile. However, its low cetane number, high latent heat of vaporization, poor lubricity, and corrosive properties severely limit its auto-ignition capability and durable operation under conventional CI conditions. Building upon previous work using a Rapid Compression Machine (RCM) to assess ignition improvers for ethanol, this study explores a broader range of fuel formulations to enhance ethanol-based combustion. A total of nine blends were prepared, consisting predominantly of hydrated ethanol (50-80% by volume), combined with 5-25% biodiesel and up to 5% of a commercial ignition improvers. The biodiesel component acted both as a co-solvent and as a combustion stabilizer, particularly under cold-start conditions. Tests were carried out under both hot and cold-start conditions, across compression ratios ranging from 25:1 down to the ignition failure limit. To ensure equal injected energy input, injected fuel mass was adjusted based on the Lower Heating Value (LHV) of each blend. High-resolution pressure transducers and high-speed optical imaging were employed to provide direct experimental insights into the combustion process, validate thermodynamic trends, and support comparative assessments of ignition behavior across different blends and compression ratios to evaluate key combustion parameters. The results indicate that blends enriched with both biodiesel and ignition additives, particularly E900B50A50, E925B50A25, and E925B25A50, significantly improved auto-ignition performance, enabling complete and stable combustion under compression ratios higher than 23. Uniform flame front propagation was observed across all injector nozzles, indicating complete combustion and effective fuel–air mixing, which are essential for maximizing thermal efficiency and minimizing unburned emissions in CI engine operation.
Bacic, Denise Amato, Sánchez, Fernando Zegarra, Ticona, Epifanio Mamani, Pradelle, Renata Nohra Chaar, Santos Coelho, Lucas dos, Mota, Crislane Almeida Pereira da, Pradelle, Florian
Mixing Rules for Accurate Prediction of Physicochemical Properties in Automotive Diesel-Biodiesel-Ethanol Blends2025-36-013512/18/2025
The increasing demand for reduced emissions in the automotive sector has driven research into alternative fuels, including Diesel, Biodiesel, and ethanol blends. This study aims to optimize mixing rules to predict the physicochemical properties of ternary fuel blends, essential for improving engine performance and minimizing emissions. Seven established mixing rules—Kay’s Equation, Semilogarithmic Equation, Grunberg-Nissan Equation, Modified Lederer Equation, Hu-Burns Equation, Power Law, and Polynomial Equation—were evaluated to estimate key properties such as kinematic viscosity, cetane number, cetane index, flash point, pour point, and cloud point. A comprehensive database, sourced from previous literature, included pure fuel properties and blend data for 33 to 101 cases. MATLAB was used to implement nonlinear optimization, adjusting coefficients to minimize error metrics like Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), and Standard Deviation (SD). The physical consistency of the correlations was verified by ensuring that estimated properties followed expected trends. The results identified the best-performing equation for each property, with the Grunberg-Nissan equation providing reliable estimates for viscosity and cetane number, and the Hu-Burns equation excelling in cetane index and cloud point. Additionally, the polynomial equation demonstrated accuracy for flash point. The optimized correlations were validated with independent experimental data, confirming their robustness and suitability for automotive fuel applications. This approach simplifies the selection of fuel compositions, contributing to cleaner fuel formulations and supporting the shift towards sustainable energy solutions.
Tirado, Carlos Andrés Abanto, Lobato, Maria Letícia Costa, Passos, Sthefany Faber, Pradelle, Renata Nohra Chaar, Pradelle, Florian
Biodiesel Production via Homogeneous Route (KOH) and Heterogeneous Route (K 2 O/Nb 2 O 5 )2025-36-011612/18/2025
Biodiesel, a renewable biofuel obtained from vegetable oils or animal fats, has emerged as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. This fuel has stood out for its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping to mitigate environmental impacts. Biodiesel is produced by reacting oil with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst, which can be homogeneous or heterogeneous. Heterogeneous catalysis has advantages such as ease of separation, greater tolerance to oils with a high fatty acid content and the possibility of reusing the catalyst, which reduces costs and minimizes waste generation. Among the various heterogeneous catalysts available, niobium-based compounds stand out. The use of niobium-based catalysts is advantageous due to the vast reserves of this element in Brazil, guaranteeing autonomy in production and strengthening the national biofuels industry. This work investigated the production of biodiesel from soybean oil using the homogeneous and heterogeneous transesterification routes. The homogeneous route used 0.7% KOH dissolved in methanol, operating at 60 °C for 1 hour with a methanol:oil molar ratio of 6:1. The heterogeneous route used a solid K2O catalyst supported on Nb2O5, in a ratio of 4% by mass, with a molar ratio of 10:1 and a reaction time of 4 hours. The yield obtained was 85% for the homogeneous route and 90% for the heterogeneous route. The biodiesel from the homogeneous route had a slightly basic pH, requiring neutralization with hydrochloric acid, while the product from the heterogeneous route had a neutral pH, requiring no additional treatment. The results indicate that although the homogeneous route is faster and uses less catalyst, the heterogeneous route has advantages in terms of yield and quality of the final product, as well as less environmental impact. Heterogeneous catalysts such as K2O/Nb2O5 are therefore promising for the sustainable production of biodiesel.
Coelho, Gabriella Vilela, Alvarez, Carlos Eduardo Castilla, Ribeiro, Jessica Oliveira Notório
Unveiling Biodiesel’s Environmental Trade-Offs: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment for Urban Buses2025-36-003712/18/2025
This study presents a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of urban buses powered by Diesel S10 with three fuel blends: B7 (7% biodiesel), B15 (15% biodiesel), and B100 (100% biodiesel). Employing a well-to-wheel approach, the analysis covers the extraction, production, distribution, and use of the fuels, as well as vehicle manufacturing and maintenance. The environmental impacts were quantified using the CML-IA and ReCiPe 2016 (Midpoint and Endpoint) methods. Results indicate that B100 significantly reduces Global Warming Potential, yet exhibits higher impacts in eutrophication, abiotic depletion, and ecotoxicity. Sensitivity analysis regarding vehicle occupancy revealed greater variability for B100. In conclusion, the optimal fuel choice depends on the prioritization of specific impact categories, providing insights for sustainable transportation policies.
Cavaliero, Carla Kazue Nakao, Barboza, Franciele Alves, Seabra, Joaquim Eugênio Abel, Ferreira, Marcela Cravo, Carpoviki, Renan Siqueira, Cruz, Robson Ferreira
Comparative Analysis on the Characteristics of Palm Biodiesel–Diesel Blend–Powered Compression Ignition Engine Using Novel Dimensionless Index04-19-02-000711/20/2025
In this study, a Kirloskar TV1 compression ignition engine is put to test using diesel, palm biodiesel (B100), and palm biodiesel–diesel blend (B40D60). Among the tested fuels, engine performance at 75% loading condition with reference fuel diesel showed the highest brake thermal efficiency, brake specific energy consumption, and exhaust gas temperature at 27.78%, 12.96 MJ/kWh, and 335.88°C, respectively. While B100 and B40D60 were observed to give a lower value for the same parameters due to their inferior physiochemical properties. In terms of combustion pressure, mean gas temperature, rate of heat release, and rate of pressure rise, the values observed with B40D60 at 67.39 bar, 1397.76 K, 68.83 J/CAD, and 4.34 bar/CAD, correspondingly are better than B100 due to the presence of diesel. Yet for the same combustion parameters, the values for both the aforementioned fuels are still lower than the results seen with pure diesel fueling. Owing to higher cetane number in comparison to diesel for B100 and B40D60 resulted in a lower ignition delay value of 8 and 10, respectively. However, an inverse trend was recorded for combustion duration, where diesel attained the shortened duration of 35 CAD in comparison to B40D60 and B100. A novel benchmark known as Rationalized Engine Characteristic Quality Index was developed, which considers various parametric indicators. The dimensionless index score for diesel was observed to be 0.779, which is higher than B100 and B40D60 at 0.754 and 0.756, respectively. It can be attributed to better physiochemical properties and engine performance characteristics when using petroleum diesel.
Balakrishnan, Navaneetha Krishnan, Chelladorai, Prabhu, Muhammad, Syahidah Akmal
Performance and Emission Characteristics of Diesel Engines Fueled with Watermelon Seed Oil Biodiesel Enhanced with Ferrous Oxide Nanoparticles2025-28-021811/6/2025
A large number of research studies have raised global concerns about the rapid depletion of traditional energy sources like petroleum. These fuels, being largely non-renewable, are being consumed at a rate much faster than they can be replenished. This growing imbalance between demand and supply has led to fears that, in the near future, the world could face a serious energy crisis if alternative sources are not developed and adopted in time. The use of alternative fuels plays an important role in lowering harmful emissions, including those that contribute to ozone formation and other toxic pollutants. It is a well-established scientific understanding that the continued combustion of fossil fuels is a key driver of global atmospheric warming. As environmental awareness grows, many individuals across the globe believe that shifting toward cleaner and more sustainable fuel sources is essential for protecting and improving the health of our planet. Extensive research is being conducted to evaluate the compatibility of various alternative fuels—such as rubber seed oil, melon seed oil, sunflower oil, jatropha oil, and waste cooking oil—for use in internal combustion (IC) engines. In light of this, the current study focuses on assessing the feasibility of using watermelon seed oil as a potential alternative fuel. Through the process of transesterification, watermelon seed oil was converted into biodiesel. The study involved testing pure diesel and its blends with biodiesel—namely B10, B20, and B30—to analyze and compare their performance, emission levels, and combustion behavior within a diesel engine setup. Test results indicated that the use of biodiesel led to an increase in brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and a slight reduction in brake thermal efficiency (BTE), primarily due to its lower calorific value. Although there was a moderate rise in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, the use of biodiesel and its blends effectively reduced hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. Furthermore, combustion analysis revealed that, compared to conventional diesel, biodiesel blends resulted in reduced peak cylinder pressure and a lower heat release rate during the combustion process.
G, Manikandan, Subbaiyan, Gunasekharan, Saminathan, Sathiskumar, T, Karthi, S, Gokul, J, Sanmuganathan
Performance and Emission Characteristics of CI Engines Using Ethanol- Cottonseed Biodiesel Blended with Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles2025-28-021011/6/2025
As global energy demands continue to grow and environmental challenges intensify, Biodiesel stands out as an environmentally sound and technically feasible alternative to curb fossil fuel use and emissions. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the performance and emissions profile of a compression ignition (CI) engine running on a renewable diesel fuel blend made from ethanol and cottonseed (Cs) combinations enhanced with aluminium oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles. The experimental fuel blends, consisting of 10%, 20%, and 30% cottonseed biodiesel with 5% ethanol and remaining with conventional diesel, were analyzed under varying engine load conditions. The inclusion of ethanol improved fuel atomization due to its lower viscosity and higher volatility, while Al2O3 nanoparticles acted as advanced combustion catalysts, promoting enhanced oxidation rates and thermal efficiency. Among the blends, B10 (10% cottonseed biodiesel) exhibited superior performance metrics, achieving a brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of 32.8%, marginally below diesel’s 33.44%, and a 1.6% rise in brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC). The analysis of emissions highlighted a considerable decline in nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emissions. 7.14%, 10.71%, 14.29% recorded for B10, B20, B30 blends respectively. Carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC), and smoke opacity showed a small uptick. The overall emissions profile confirmed substantial environmental benefits, establishing B10 as the most balanced blend for optimized engine performance and minimized pollutant emissions. This research paves the way for future developments in renewable biodiesel blends, offering advancements in fuel economy, cleaner combustion, and overall emission reductions, while addressing the increasing demand for sustainable energy sources.
T, Karthi, G, Manikandan, Saminathan, Sathiskumar, M E, Chandhuru, S, Bavanya, S, Arunkumar
Effect of EGR and Ethanol additive on Performance and Emission Characteristics of Diesel Engine Fuelled with Rubber Seed Biodiesel Blends2025-28-022411/6/2025
Alcohol is being considered as an alternative to traditional fuels for compression ignition engines due to their oxygen content and biomass origin. Although alcohol generally has lower cetane numbers, which makes them more favorable for premixed combustion, they also offer potential for lowering emissions in internal combustion engines, particularly when combined with strategies such as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). This research focuses on enhancing the performance of a single-cylinder, four- stroke diesel engine by introducing ethanol into the intake port during the intake phase. Diesel and rubber seed biodiesel were used as primary fuels and were directly injected into the combustion chamber. The findings indicated that adding ethanol to rubber seed biodiesel, along with 10% EGR, led to improved brake thermal efficiency and a reduction in NOX emissions. The ethanol injection timing and duration were optimized for effective dual-fuel operation. At full engine load, the highest brake thermal efficiency recorded with a 20% ethanol energy share was 34% for diesel, 31.16% for B20 with EGR, and 31.15% for B20 without EGR. Furthermore, NOX emissions were reduced by 25.44% and 26.08% for B10 with EGR and B20 with EGR, respectively, at peak thermal efficiency. On the downside, increasing ethanol contribution raised HC, CO₂, and smoke emissions across all loads for both B10 and B20 with EGR. Additionally, B10 and B20 with EGR experienced higher peak cylinder pressures and maximum rate of pressure rise, while ethanol uses also resulted in shorter combustion duration and increased heat release rates.
Saminathan, Sathiskumar, G, Manikandan, Bungag, Joel Quendangan, T, Karthi
Analysis of Artificial Intelligence in Biofuel Industry: A Case Study2025-28-034111/6/2025
Increasing reservations about the mass consumption of fossil fuels because of their hazardous impact on ecosystem has led to an increased focus to look for renewable alternative. In the last decade, much research is made on production of biodiesel for blending with diesel to reduce diesel consumption in the transport sector. Studies suggest that biofuel do not provide any harm to environment because of their availability from natural resources. Biofuel production and its further utilization requires identifying unknown parameters having nonlinear relationships with each other. Accurate and better predictive tools are required at different stages during its usage. AI technique is one such tool that can provide support during production and utilization. The technique is utilized in designing, monitoring, predicting, decision making and optimizing systems. The present research investigates the areas of AI usage which makes use of models for designing better production strategies, accurate prediction of biofuel properties through machine learning tools. The concept used is similar with brain’s autolearning phenomena where system improves on its own and take better decisions for each problem it faces. The research will present a review of this AI application taking help from literature from year 2012 to 2024 to make decision for taking suitable action with the analyzed cases in literature. Findings of the study suggests AI will play a major role in the near future and a strong demand will be seen for AI application in this evolving area.
KUMAR, VIVEK, Vashist, Devendra
Impact of Biodiesel on Fuel Filtration System and Proposed Best Practices2025-28-022711/6/2025
Biodiesel acceptance and consumption increased rapidly from 2018 onwards because of government policies promoting and mandating (in few cases) the consumption of local made Biodiesel feedstock to replace/reduce the import crude oil to save fuel import costs. Currently biodiesel usage is unregulated and non-standardized in few countries and in cases it is mandated and well controlled by local government (e.g. Indonesia). This unregulated, non-standardized and rapidly increasing usage of Biodiesel started to show consequences such as reduced fuel filter life, degradation of engine and filter with material non-compatibility issues with biodiesel and this developed a need of in-depth study, research and creation of recommendations / best practices for the use of Biodiesel in various application. This paper will discuss the root causes of challenges related to usage of biodiesel (manufacturing process, storing and handling of biodiesel at application site), technical challenges and it’s impact on fuel filtration performance supported by some of the lab test data & finally propose a recommendations or best practices to effectively use biodiesel as alternate fuel to achieve best commercial and operational advantages. Although there are several commercially well-known feedstocks available in world, here we will discuss mainly on Palm Biodiesel (PME) which is mandatory in Indonesia with B40 variant recently mandated by local government. The purpose of discussion will be to minimize or eliminate the adverse impact of biodiesel properties & challenges on service life of filter by using premium filtration solutions to avoid drastic changes with engine or OEM equipment.
Bhalerao, Hariprasad, Shah, Avani, Khedkar, Prashant
Experimental Study on Single Cylinder Diesel Engine Port Water Injection and Blends of Biodiesel for Performance & Emission2025-32-006211/3/2025
The increasing demand for alternative fuels due to environmental concerns has sparked interest in biodiesel as a viable substitute for conventional diesel. Most automotive engines use diesel fuel engines. They contribute a major portion of today’s air pollution, which causes serious health issues including chronic bronchitis, respiratory tract infections, heart diseases, and many more. Greenhouse gases are produced using fossil fuel in the engines and causes global warming. To combat air pollution, we need clean renewable and environmentally friendly fuels. Due to depletion of fossil fuels, it has become necessary to find alternative fuel which are safer for the environment and humankind. One such possible solution is Biodiesel. In present study, series of experiments were carried out on 435cc naturally aspirate DI Diesel engine with port water injection and different blend of Jatropha based Biodiesel. Biodiesel was derived from Jatropha oil, produced using a heterogeneous catalyst. The physical and chemical properties were determined for different blends of Biodiesel specifically JB20, JB30 and JB100 before engine testing. Engine tests were recorded on engine eddy current dynamometer and vehicle emission were recorded on chassis dynamometer to investigate the performance and emission characteristics of different biodiesel blends compared with conventional diesel. Recorded engine test performance infers improvement in observed torque and power. BSFC and Smoke results were comparable on full load and part load conditions. There is reduction in HC, CO raw emission with JB20 and JB30 Biodiesel fuel as compared to conventional Bharat Stage 6 Diesel fuel. Particulate Matter are comparable with all the above fuels. Vehicle mass emission with combination of port water injection and JB20 biodiesel has benefited further to reduce HC & NOx emission to meet Bharat Stage 6 emission norms on Diesel three-wheel vehicle on Indian Driving cycle. These findings highlight the potential of Jatropha biodiesel as a cleaner alternative to conventional diesel.
Bhoite, Vikram, Syed, Kaleemuddin, Chaudhari, Sandip, Khairnar, Girish, Jagtap, Pranjal, Reddy, Kameswar
First Investigation of Ducted Fuel Injection on a Retrofitted Heavy-Duty Multi-Cylinder Production Engine04-19-01-000510/22/2025
Ducted fuel injection (DFI) was tested for the first time on a production multi-cylinder engine. Design-of-experiments (DoE) testing was carried out for DFI with a baseline ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel as well as three fuels with lower lifecycle carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions: renewable diesel, neat biodiesel (from soy), and a 50/50 blend by volume of biodiesel with renewable diesel denoted B50R50. For all fuels tested, DFI enabled simultaneous reductions of engine-out emissions of soot and nitrogen oxides (NOx) with late injection timings. DoE data were used to develop individual calibrations for steady-state testing with each fuel using the ISO 8178 eight-mode off-road test cycle. Over the ISO 8178 test, DFI with a five-duct configuration and B50R50 fuel reduced soot and NOx by 87% and 42%, respectively, relative to the production engine calibration. Soot reductions generally decreased with increasing engine load. Hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions tended to increase with DFI but were not excessive over the ISO 8178 test. Brake-specific energy consumption generally increased with DFI due to the use of retarded injection timings and exhaust-gas recirculation to achieve the desired NOx reductions but was less than or equal to that for conventional diesel combustion with ULSD at a similar NOx level. Significant deposits were encountered on one cylinder when running at idle with the ULSD fuel only, but this was mitigated by replacing the corresponding fuel injector (which showed deformation at the exits of two of its orifices) and using a fuel detergent additive in subsequent testing. In all, the engine was successfully operated for over 300 hours in the DFI configuration. Research areas for improved DFI implementation are identified.
Ogren, Ryan M., Baumgard, Kirby J., Radhakrishna, Vishnu, Kempin, Robert C., Mueller, Charles J.
Biodiesel Characterization and Prediction Using ANN Modeling along with the Assessment of Performance and Emission Behavior of Fuel Sources— Gossypium hirsutum and Stoechospermum marginatum —Used in Direct Injection CI Engine2025-01-507110/16/2025
The demand for alternate fuel continues to grow steadily, while energy sources are being researched and explored every year. Considering the energy demand and fuel cost this research was initiated to identify better sources for fuel production. Also the emission released into the atmosphere causes significant influence in the global market in terms of pollution, which was also a prime motive toward this research analysis. A green biodiesel, fatty acid alkyl ester, has attracted much attention as an environmentally friendly diesel fuel. This is due to several advantages, especially that fatty acid alkyl ester is renewable, biodegradable, and has less toxic properties as a fuel. In this article, cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum) biodiesel and algal (Stoechospermum marginatum) biodiesel was prepared with a yield of 94% and 85%, respectively. Single-stage transesterification was performed since the free fatty acid percentage was within the limit. The performance characteristics in terms of brake thermal efficiency and brake specific fuel consumption, algal biodiesel performed better in comparison with cottonseed biodiesel, and its values were closer to standard diesel fuel. The maximum BTE of ABD100 was noticed to be 36.2% and optimized BSFC was 17 kg/kW-h for ABD100. The emission characteristic analysis stated that biodiesel detailed lower CO emission than diesel fuel, at high loads UBHC were lower for biodiesel than diesel fuel, up to 6% and 18% difference. NOx emission was higher for biodiesel, which may be due to better combustion and the diesel fuel produced higher smoke emission, whereas biodiesel depicted lower emission values. Comparatively, algal biodiesel was found to be better, which showcased lower ignition delay and better engine emissions.
Godwin, John J., Hariram, V., Muthiya, Solomon Jenoris, Sambandam, Padmanabhan, Prathik, S. J., Santhosh, K., Baskar, S., Boopathi, D.
An Assessment of Performance of Power Pack Fueled with Nano-Enhanced Biodiesel Biobutanol Blends Operated with Optimal Operating Parameters2025-01-506710/2/2025
As of today, scenario using the renewable resources from the waste and biomass is essential to decrease the dependence on the fossil fuel imports. This study is to use the waste castor seed into oil and for powering the power pack along with biobutanol extracted from waste of fruits and vegetables from the food processing outlets. As a first step the possible combination of the fuel blend is being chosen by preparing various proportions of castor oil biodiesel (from 100% to 55% in steps of 5%) and biobutanol (0%–35% in increments of 5%). The blends are being tested for the phase separation test in the environment of 25°C for a period of 30 days. The chosen blend (25% biobutanol and rest castor oil biodiesel 75CBD25BB) has been tested for the performance in power pack, which is used for diesel as primary fuel. This blend was further tested by optimizing the parameters—compression ratio, fuel injection timing, and nozzle opening pressure of the test power pack through L9 orthogonal array. In continuation, chosen blend is enhanced with nano-alumina and nano-zinc oxide in three proportions viz., 50, 75, and 100 mg/L. It is found that the blend with optimal levels of parameters CR 19:1; FIT 26°CA; NOP 210 bar along with 100 mg/L of nano-alumina (100 mg/L) and nano-zinc oxide (100 mg/L) resulted in better performance and competent emissions.
Prabakaran, B., Yasin, Mohd Hafizil Mat, Mamat, Rizalman
Understanding How Blending Different Ratios of Renewable Fuels with Diesel Impacts the Toxicity of Exhaust Particulates to Human Health2025-01-02076/16/2025
The urgent need to decarbonise transport has increased the utilisation of renewable fuels blended with current hydrocarbons. Heavy duty vehicle electrification solutions are yet to be realised and therefore the reliance on diesel engines may still be present for decades to come. Currently, the diesel supplied to fuel stations across the UK is a 7% blended biodiesel, whilst in South Korea a 5% blend is utilised. Biodiesel is produced from renewable sources, for example, crops, waste residue, oils and biomass. Particulates from diesel combustion are known to be toxic due to the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), however there is very limited understanding of blending oxygenated fuels on the toxicity of the particulates produced. PAHs are aromatic structures that can be metabolised into chemicals which can disrupt DNA replication and potentially influence cancer mechanisms if inhaled in high quantities. Soyabean methyl-ester (SME) was blended at lower ratios, e.g., 5%, 10%, 15% and combusted in a light duty direct injection diesel engine to investigate and collect particulate emissions. Gas-Chromatography Mass-Spectroscopy (GC-MS) was used to characterise and identify PAH content of the collected particulate samples. Results showed that the lower blend fuels produced a greater amount of large ring PAHs, which correlated with a higher toxic effect in experiments undertaken using in-vitro cell models with collected soot samples. This toxic effect was of greater significance than that observed from combustion of either 100% fossil diesel (FD) or 100% SME biodiesel. The toxic effects found highlight the need to better understand impacts of renewable fuel utilisation on human health.
Hailwood, Emma, Hellier, Paul, Ladommatos, Nicos, Leonard, Martin
Impact of Oxidation Catalyst Formulation and Space Velocity on Performance with Conventional and Renewable Fuels2025-01-84954/1/2025
Prior study with biodiesel and its blends with ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and renewable diesel (RD) showed that a commercial diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) is unable to effectively oxidize neat biodiesel (B100) or high-level biodiesel blends injected into the exhaust of a diesel engine at challenging conditions of low temperature, high exhaust flow rate and high dosing rate. In steady-state performance tests, the performance of blends up to B50 in ULSD or RD was nearly equivalent to ULSD at the lowest exhaust flow rate or for exhaust temperature over 340°C for medium and high flows. ULSD blends above 50 vol% biodiesel exhibited reduced thermal efficiency and DOC outlet temperature with increasing dosing rate and required exhaust temperatures over 400°C to achieve similar performance as ULSD. For RD blends at higher flow rates and temperatures below 300°C even B10 blends showed some loss in performance at the highest dosing rates. Data showed an increase in lightoff temperature with an increase in biodiesel concentration in both the ULSD and RD blends. Here we conducted a limited study with higher catalyst volume and increased platinum group metal (PGM) loading to see if these factors would improve DOC performance with B100. ULSD, RD and B100 were run on steady-state performance test with the same DOC used previously. To assess the impact of PGM loading and catalyst volume we also used a three-way catalyst (TWC) for comparison to the DOC. The TWC consisted of two bricks and the test was run with one and both bricks to assess the impact of catalyst volume. The data showed that the single brick of TWC was marginally better than the DOC with better light off performance for B100 at low temperatures and exhaust flow rates. The entire TWC (two bricks) was significantly better than the DOC showing marginally better performance at low temperature and exhaust flow rate and significantly improved performance at low temperature and medium flow rate. The additional catalyst volume and higher overall catalyst loading produced better oxidation of B100 even at the most challenging conditions – with increased catalyst volume (increased residence time) have the largest effect.
Lakkireddy, Venkata, Weber, Phillip, McCormick, Robert, Howell, Steve
Experimental Investigation and Operating Characteristics of LHR Engine Using Pongamia Pinnata and Azadirachta Indica Biodiesel Blend with Industrial Waste Additive2025-28-00392/7/2025
The huge energy demand and environmental anxiety have focused the interest on alternative fuels to the diesel engine. This suggested the worldwide search for renewable, less pollutant and agricultural-based alternative fuel. Also, attention is given to increasing the efficiency of a conventional diesel engine when running on alternative fuels. Non-edible oil derived from Pongamia pinnata and Azadirachta indica seed oil blends as an alternative fuel have been considered for this study. Using Copper oxide (5% w/w), the two oils were transesterified for 6 hours at a temperature of 75 °C and a methanol to oil ratio of 20:1. The biodiesel samples that were produced underwent FTIR and GC-MS analysis. The results indicated that the FAME conversion for the biodiesel derived from Azadirachta indica and Pongamia pinnata was 99.19% and 97.93%, respectively. Diesel engine combustion components, viz., the piston crown and liner, were coated with Aluminium titanate thermal barrier material. The objective of this study is to replace 10% of diesel fuel by volume with the direct blending of esterified vegetable oils in diesel engine operation. The concept of low heat rejection could improve the decrease in engine performance due to blending. The single-cylinder coated engine characteristics were examined for diesel-biofuel blends, and these results were compared to those of conventional diesel engine fuel operations. The studies study better performance and emission for the coated engine than the conventional engine in both diesel and vegetable oil blends. A significant reduction in hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions was observed for both coated and uncoated engines, but NO emission was increased up to 9% for the coated engine.
R, Suresh, R, Ashwin, Uppuluri, Kiranbabu, T, MohanRaj
Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Tannery Industry Fleshing Wastes Using Response Surface Methodology2025-28-01152/7/2025
In response to rising emissions and pollutants, an alternative and environmentally friendly synthesis is gaining prominence on the energy sources. The leather industries generate substantial amount of waste and fleshing oil extracted from fleshing which is rich in lipids and presents a viable feedstock for biodiesel production. In this research work, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is used to optimize the conversion of leather fleshing oil into biodiesel using three parameters such as operating temperature, reaction time, and molar ratio. Experiments were carried out to determine the most optimal conditions and the response on yield (%) and viscosity (mm2/s) based on a 17-run Box–Behnken Design matrix. Stochastic model parameters such as R2 (0.9715 and 0.9793), adjusted R2 (0.9349 and 0.9527), predicted R2 (0.8327 and 0.7656), and high F-values (26.52 and 36.78) of both responses (yield and viscosity) were found to be statistically significant and warranted model adequacy. ANOVA and regression analysis resulted in significant two-way interactions among variables relating to response. The optimal conditions were predicted at 61°C, 180 minutes of reaction time, and a molar ratio of 10:1 generated a yield of 92.901% with the viscosity of 3.629. Experimental trails were conducted at the predicted conditions and found a maximum yield of 90.52% with the minimum viscosity of 3.46. The predicted and experimental results were reported to be in close agreement.
P, Kanthasamy, Selvan, Arul Mozhi, P, Shanmugam
Performance and Emission Analysis of a CI Engine Using Various Blends of Diesel and Prosopis Juliflora Seed Oil-Derived Biodiesel2025-28-01292/7/2025
The rising demand for fossil fuels and the exploration of renewable energy sources from plants have gained significant attention due to their role in reducing emissions and enhancing energy security. Prosopis juliflora, abundantly available in India, offers a viable source for biodiesel production. This study investigates the performance and emission characteristics of a 5.2 kW, 1500 rpm, four-stroke single-cylinder compression ignition (CI) engine using blends of diesel, vegetable oil, and biodiesel derived from Prosopis juliflora seeds. The engine was tested with pure diesel, vegetable oil (PJO), biodiesel (B100), and biodiesel-diesel blends at 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% by volume, designated as B20, B40, B60, and B80, respectively. Key performance metrics, including brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and brake specific energy consumption (BSEC), were measured, along with emissions such as carbon monoxide (CO), smoke, hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NO). Results indicated that BTE for B20 was comparable to diesel, with values of 30.52% and 30.68%, respectively, at 5.2 kW. The BSEC for B20 was recorded at 11.79 MJ/kWh compared to 11.74 MJ/kWh for diesel. Emission analysis revealed that HC and smoke emissions were lower for all biodiesel blends compared to diesel. At 5.2 kW, HC emissions were 74 ppm for B20 versus 75 ppm for diesel, and smoke emissions were 67.7% for B20 compared to 69.1% for diesel. However, NO and CO emissions were slightly higher for biodiesel blends. This study suggests that Prosopis juliflora-derived biodiesel can effectively reduce HC and smoke emissions while maintaining performance, highlighting B20 as a promising alternative to conventional diesel fuel.
Duraisamy, Boopathi, Stanley Martin, Jerome, Thiyagarajan, Prakash, Rajendran, Silambarasan, Marutholi, Mubarak, John, Godwin
An Integrated Material Science Approach to Evaluate the Viability of Ethoxy Ethane and Rubber Seed (Heavea Brasiliensis) Biodiesel as Sustainable Fuel for Compression Ignition Engines2025-28-01302/7/2025
The primary issues in using pure vegetable oils for internal combustion engines are their high soot output and reduced thermal efficiency. Therefore in the present investigation, a Heavea Brasiliensis biodiesel (HBB) is used as a carbon source of fuel and ethoxy ethane as a combustion accelerator on a compression ignition (CI) engine. In this investigation, an only one cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled DI diesel engine with a rated output of 4.4 kW at 1500 rpm was utilized. Whereas heavea brasiliensis biodiesel was delivered straightly into the cylinder at almost close to the end of compression stroke and ethoxy ethane was sprayed instantly in the intake manifold in the event of intake stroke. At various loads, the parameter of ethoxy ethane volume rate were optimised. To minimise exhaust emissions, an air plasma spray technology was employed to cover the engine combustion chamber with a thermal barrier coating. Because of its adaptability for high-temperature applications, YSZ (Yttria-stabilized zirconia) was chosen as the coating material. The brake thermal efficiency for a neat HBB is 29.8% and it reached a peak value of 30.5% for ethoxy ethane injection of volume flow rate as 13 cc/min. Also there is a reduction in emissions at all loads except oxides of nitrogen. Smoke emission decreases after ethoxy ethane injection from 6.4 to 5.2 BSN. For HBB, HBB plus ethoxy ethane, and diesel, the HC emission at maximum load is 51 ppm, 47 ppm, and 44 ppm respectively.
Sagaya Raj, Gnana, Natarajan, Manikandan, Pasupuleti, Thejasree
Exploring the Future of Sustainable Fuels: Experimental and Predictive Insights on Engine Performance and Emissions Using Algae Biodiesel Blends2024-01-52501/28/2025
This study investigates the potential of biodiesel derived from Azolla algae as an alternative fuel for conventional diesel. The performance and emissions characteristics of various biodiesel blends were evaluated experimentally. The physicochemical properties of pure diesel (D100), and blends with Azolla biodiesel at 5% (BD5), 10% (BD10), 15% (BD15), 20% (BD20), and 100% (B100) were analyzed. It is observed that the amount of fuel consumed is higher at higher loads when fuel is blended with biodiesels. Hydrocarbon emissions were reduced with biodiesel blends at full load and the reduction is higher with increase in blend concentration. A significant difference of 85 ppm NOx was observed between BD20 and D100 at full load. CO emissions decreased with higher biodiesel concentrations, with BD20 resulted less CO emissions than D100, making BD20 a more environmentally viable fuel. Artificial neural networks (ANN) were employed for predictive modeling, achieving approximately 95% accuracy. Pearson’s correlation coefficients (0.9770 to 1.000) and root mean square errors (0.01048 to 0.0804) for all the output parameters indicate the model’s high efficiency and accuracy, closely matching experimental values.
Senthilkumar, D., Murugesan, Sivanesan, Bhadrinath, P., Shamitha, G., Adityasree, R.
A Comparative Study of Combustion and Performance in Diesel Engines Fueled by Mosambi Peel Biodiesel-Butylated Hydroxytoluene Nanoparticles Blend2024-01-52581/28/2025
This study’s objective is to examine the combustion and performance of mosambi waste peel biodiesel (MWPB) combined with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) nanoparticles as a substitute fuel for diesel engines. It also aims to assess the impact of this blend on engine combustion, such as in-cylinder pressure, heat release rate (HRR), ignition delay (ID), combustion duration (CD) and mass fraction burnt (MFB) and performance indicators, including brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake-specific energy consumption (BSEC), engine torque, exhaust gas temperature (EGT), indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP), air-fuel ratio (A/F ratio) and volumetric efficiency, while also considering the feasibility of employing waste materials in fuel generation. The experimental configuration utilized a research diesel engine functioning under standard conditions, emphasizing the maintenance of uniform injection pressure to ensure optimal fuel atomization and combustion. The test fuels are diesel, MWPB, MWPB+10 μm BHT 10 ppm and MWPB+20 μm BHT 10 ppm mixtures were utilized, and essential performance metrics were assessed. The results showed that incorporating BHT nanoparticles enhances the combustion properties of the MWPB mixes. The in-cylinder pressure increased in MWPB, and HRR increased in MWPB+20 μm BHT 10 ppm blend compared to diesel, but the diesel fuel has a higher ID, CD and MFB than other test fuels. Also, findings indicate an increase in BTE and a reduction in BSEC relative to pure diesel fuel. Furthermore, diesel fuel has higher engine torque, IMEP, A/F ratio and volumetric efficiency than other test fuels, but MWPB has higher EGT than diesel. The research suggests that biodiesel derived from mosambi peel, combined with BHT nanoparticles, is a feasible alternative to traditional diesel fuel, providing improved combustion efficiency and decreased energy usage. This study underscores the potential of agricultural waste for biodiesel generation. It enlightens the significant role of additives such as BHT in enhancing fuel performance and sustainability in diesel engines.
Jayabal, Ravikumar, Madhu, S., Devarajan, Yuvarajan, Domian, Christopher Selvam
Improving the Carbon Footprint of Long-Haul Trucks Running on First-Generation Biodiesel2025-01-50071/27/2025
Lowering carbon emissions from road-based transport is required to achieve climate targets. In addition to passenger cars, long-haul trucks contribute more than one-third of on-road generated carbon emissions. Therefore, this sector has great potential to reduce such emissions. Numerous options including electrified drivetrains are possible. Nevertheless, the existing fleet of trucks powered by conventional diesel engines also needs to be addressed. Additionally, a ramp-up of green electricity and charging infrastructure is required to ensure carbon-neutral and reliable transport. Heavy-duty diesel engines are typically suitable for use with first-generation biofuels. However, operational restrictions, such as shorter oil drain intervals are mandatory for users. In the case at hand, the oil change was mandatory after only 30,000 km when pure biodiesel (B100) was used instead of 120,000 km when operating on conventional, mineral oil-based diesel. These boundaries counter efforts to lower carbon emissions because operators are reluctant to adopt such fuels to mitigate operational constraints, and the disposal of an additional amount of lubricating oil results in the release of avoidable carbon emissions. This work describes a trial conducted to extend the oil drain intervals of long-haul trucks. The oil condition of the four vehicles running on biodiesel was closely monitored by oil analysis. The usual parameters for oil analysis, such as viscosity, wear metals, water content, fuel dilution, oil oxidation, and nitration, were monitored in this study. The study was concluded when an oil lifetime of 90,000 km was reached and confirmed by a second run. The obtained data were compared to those of a reference vehicle running on conventional diesel fuel. The conclusion was that no adverse effects on moving engine parts were present at each stage of drawing samples of oil and at the end (completion) of tests. The possible threefold increase in the oil drain interval helps reduce CO2 emissions, thus aiding in achieving climate goals.
Rohbogner, Christoph J., Heine, Carsten
Analysis of Biodiesel Production Worldwide: The Solutions and Consequences Related to Its Addition to Diesel2024-36-010112/20/2024
The goal of this research is to better understand the methodologies for manufacturing biodiesel worldwide and the main raw materials used in its production. We aim to compare the solutions established by relevant countries with those used in Brazil, identifying their advantages and disadvantages. Our primary areas of interest include the United States, Indonesia, and Europe, where we will analyze the solutions and, whenever possible, understand the commercial and political interests involved. We will highlight aspects related to sustainability in the production, transportation, and use of biodiesel. The methodology is based on research from recent publications and news, organized into graphs to facilitate analysis and comparison. Next, we will also examine the consequences of the solutions adopted in Brazil, envisioning future scenarios and recommended paths. In the short term, biodiesel is expected to be replaced by renewable diesel (also known as green diesel in some regions, including Brazil), which can also be produced from biomass. Ethanol is likely to be a global solution in the short to medium term, with hydrogen expected to take the lead in providing renewable energy. In the long term, around 2050, the use of fossil fuels for power generation should be significantly reduced, and technologies for energy storage, along with clean, renewable, and sustainable energy sources, should prevail.
Labigalini, Marcio Roberto, Barreto, Gilmar
Experimental Analysis of Mixtures Diesel -Hydrogenated Biodiesel Applied in Dynamometer with Diesel Engine 4T BD-5.02024-36-018012/20/2024
Society in actual engineering must promote sustainable developments in new renewable technologies in the transport sector, with resiliency and low greenhouse gas emissions produced. Pollutant emissions must be reduced to obtain an environmental equilibrium and stabilize part of the world’s climate change. With this, the principal objective of this research is to do different blends of diesel- biodiesel and diesel-hydrogenated biodiesel in proportions of 10, 20, 40, 80, and 100% to evaluate the performance of these samples of fuels in the internal combustion engine (ICE) diesel, model BD 5.0, connected to dynamometer XL43, located in the engines laboratory of University UFVJM, in Diamantina MG- Brazil at 1384 MASL, to obtain torque and power in different conditions of rotation. These tests were performed with blends of diesel-biodiesel and biodiesel- diesel with bubbling hydrogen (H2). The obtained data were developed with different comparisons, and results showed a positive influence on the H2 blends in different situations in terms of high-performance concerning rotation, torque, and power reached. In the first dynamometer test, blends of biodiesel at 10% and 20% (B10, B20) without H2 had promising results; the second test evaluates power and torque with the presence of H2 making a dissolution of hydrogen gas by 30-minute bubbling process, finding a better performance in various conditions of rotation in the blend of B20/ H2 fuel, previously in the B20 blend, reached competitive torque and power during the majority of analyzed tests when compared with the other mixtures of fuels evaluated. These results are crucial in developing sustainable transportation technologies, emphasizing the potential benefits of using hydrogenated biodiesel blends for sustainable transportation.
Barón Pinilla, José D., Silva, N. S., Melo, R. A. A., Santos, Alexandre S., Nery, M. C., Junqueira, H. H. B.
Assessing the Engine Performance of Rubber Seed Oil Biodiesel Blends in Compression Ignition2024-01-522812/10/2024
This study investigates the efficiency of a compression ignition (CI) engine powered by biodiesel derived from rubber seed oil (RSO) and its various blends. This research aims to assess the feasibility of using RSO biodiesel as a substitute fuel in CI engines to reduce harmful emissions and the depletion of fossil fuels. Initially, the process of obtaining rubber seed oil was preceded by transesterification. After transesterification, the same was blended in different proportions with conventional diesel in B20, B40, B60, B80, and B100. Results show that brake thermal efficiency (BTE) decreased with rising concentration of biodiesel, particularly at higher blends. B100 had a 20-25% lower BTE in every load condition than conventional diesel. The brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) generally decreased with increasing biodiesel content, particularly at lower loads applied to the engine. B100 portrayed a perceptible improvement of 25.6% in BSFC compared diesel at 1 kg load. This suggests that higher biodiesel blends may reduce thermal efficiency. However, they could provide better fuel economy, particularly at partial loading.
Jayabal, Ravikumar, Lionus Leo, G. M., Madhu, S.
Enhancing Diesel Engine Performance with Silica Coated Pistons and Cassia Fistula Biodiesel Blends: A Pathway to Cleaner and Efficient Energy2024-01-522212/10/2024
This study investigates the influence of Silica-Diamond-Like Carbon (Si-DLC) coated pistons on performance metrics of diesel engine fuelled with various blends of Cassia Fistula biodiesel (CFBD10, CFBD20, CFBD30, and CFBD40). The primary focus is on key performance metrics, including Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE), Brake Specific Energy Consumption (BSEC), and Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT). The results demonstrated improvement in BTE and EGT, alongside a reduction in BSEC across all biodiesel blends compared to conventional diesel. Specifically, at full engine load, CFBD10 exhibited a BTE of 33.41%, which is 3.17% higher than neat diesel in the stock engine. At part load and no-load scenarios, improvements of 2% and 0.51% over neat diesel were recorded. During no-load conditions, the BSEC for CFBD10 was measured at 9.901 MJ.kW-hr, 0.738 MJ.kW-hr lower than that of neat diesel. Further increases in Cassia fistula blends resulted in higher BSEC values due to lower calorific content. Exhaust gas temperatures at higher loads were recorded at 330°C, 374°C, 368°C, 360°C, and 351°C for diesel, CFBD10, CFBD20, CFBD30, and CFBD40, respectively, with CFBD10 outperforming neat diesel by 44°C. Specifically, the Si-DLC coating significantly contributes to improved combustion efficiency and thermal management, resulting in higher BTE and EGT. Concurrently, the optimized combustion process facilitated by the Si-DLC coating leads to a decrease in BSEC, indicating a more efficient energy utilization. The scope of this research extends to analysing the implications of Si-DLC coatings in the broader context of automotive engine efficiency and sustainability. These findings underscore the potential of Si-DLC coated pistons in promoting cleaner and more efficient automotive energy solutions. The study aligns SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), by advancing the development of sustainable biodiesel technologies that enhances energy efficiency in the transportation sector.
Veeraraghavan, Sakthimurugan, De Poures, Melvin Victor, Madhu, S., Palani, Kumaran
Assessment of Emission Reductions in a Diesel Engine using Graphene Oxide Nanoparticle-Muskmelon Waste Seed Biodiesel Blends2024-01-524012/10/2024
This research investigates the potential of muskmelon waste seed biodiesel (MWSB) enhanced with graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles as an alternative fuel for diesel engines. The study focuses on transesterifying waste seed oil from muskmelon fruits to produce biodiesel suitable for common rail direct injection (CRDI) diesel engines. The addition of GO nanoparticles serves as a combustion enhancer, aiming to improve engine performance and reduce emissions. The test fuels included pure diesel, MWSB, and MWSB blends with 10 ppm and 20 ppm of GO nanoparticles. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in emissions when GO nanoparticles were added to the MWSB. Specifically, the MWSB+GO20 ppm blend achieved reductions in smoke, hydrocarbon (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by 16.66%, 26.19%, and 45.33%, respectively, compared to diesel at maximum brake power (5.5 kW). However, this blend also resulted in a 7.4% increase in oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions at maximum brake power. The study highlights the role of GO's extensive surface area and oxygenated functional groups in enhancing combustion efficiency, which contributes to the reduction of incomplete combustion byproducts such as CO and HC. Despite the increase in NOx emissions, the overall findings suggest that incorporating GO nanoparticles into MWSB can significantly reduce harmful emissions, offering a promising alternative for diesel engines. This work opens up intriguing possibilities for the use of GO nanoparticles in enhancing biodiesel mixtures, potentially leading to more sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel options for diesel engines.
Jayabal, Ravikumar, Madhu, S.
Performance Evaluation of Common Rail Direct Injection Engine Run on Biodiesel of Used Temple Oil Using Response Surface Methodology03-17-08-006212/6/2024
Diesel engines produce more smoke and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Hence, one has to develop a new technique that reduces these emissions besides works satisfactorily with alternative fuels in place of diesel. In this work, used temple oil biodiesel (BTO) is a candidate to replace diesel to run diesel engine. Also, common rail direction injection (CRDi) is a technique that injects fuel at a higher pressure than conventional injectors of diesel engines that produce fine fuel droplets suitable for highly viscous biodiesel. This work also uses the design of experiments (DOE) and response surface methodology (RSM) modeling approach to evaluate the performance of CRDi engine with three operating parameters namely injection timing (IT), injection pressure (IP), and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). From the study, it could be concluded that CRDi engine showed better performance at IT of 9°bTDC, IP of 855 bar with EGR of 20% but with little reduction in thermal efficiency. The study has reported good agreement between predicted values and experimental results.
Shaikh, Sardar Mansoor, Khandal, Sanjeevkumar V.
Examining Ethanol-Biodiesel-Diesel Blends: Impact on Diesel Passenger Car Performance and Emissions under Legislative Test Cycles2024-28-012512/5/2024
Incorporating ethanol and biodiesel into diesel fuel offers substantial benefits from bioenergy perspective. To assess the effect of these alternative fuels, a study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of Ethanol-Biodiesel-Diesel blends (BD7, E2B7, E5B7) on the performance and emissions of a diesel car under Modified Indian Driving Cycle (MIDC), Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC), wide-open throttle (WOT), and acceleration tests. A four-cylinder 1.5L Common Rail Turbo based diesel passenger car was selected for the study. The test findings revealed that under MIDC conditions, biodiesel blend (BD7) resulted in higher CO emissions compared to neat diesel, but these emissions decreased with the addition of ethanol (E2B7 and E5B7) due to ethanol's embedded oxygen content. While biodiesel lowered THC emissions, these emissions increased when ethanol was added. NOx emissions increased with biodiesel due to its higher cetane number and shorter ignition delay, and this trend persisted with the E5B7 blend. Under WLTC conditions, BD7 showed higher CO emissions. However, THC emissions decreased across all blends compared to neat diesel, while NOx emissions increased. CO2 emissions, on the other hand, decreased with all blends due to their lower carbon content and improved combustion efficiency. Despite a reduction in calorific value, a marginal improvement in fuel economy was observed. In terms of vehicle performance, the vehicle power remained consistent with improved acceleration time with respect to fuel blends. These results highlight the potential of ethanol-biodiesel-diesel blends to reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy, with the challenge of increased NOx. Long duration trials focusing on vehicle durability including fuel system’s performance, are needed to ensure the viability of these blends in diesel vehicles.
Dhyani, Vipin, Patil, Yogesh J, Singhal, Nikita, Khandai, Chinmayananda, Kannala, Raghava, Muralidharan, M
Physicochemical Characterization and Potential Applications of Biodiesel Produced from Industrial Fish Waste2024-01-510611/22/2024
Biofuels are gaining significant global attention as renewable and alternative energy sources, produced from various materials through different extraction methods and conversion processes. Food industry generates not only substantial organic waste, presenting economic and ecological challenges but also potential opportunities for valorization. This study focuses on recovering industrial fish waste from the manufacture of canned tuna, specifically targeting non-food and abundant fish co-products such as heads, bones, skin, and viscera, which constitute nearly 50% of the fish body. The process involves several steps: oil extraction using Soxhlet extraction, purification, and conversion into biodiesel via transesterification, followed by physicochemical analysis. The experiments revealed that 32.41% of fish waste was in the liquid phase (a mixture of hexane and oil), and the extracted oil accounted for 26.56% of the total fish waste weight (from 1.012 kg of waste, approximately 268.78 g of oil was extracted, equivalent to 280.36 mL). The fatty acid composition influenced the cetane number of the biodiesel. Two types of biodiesel (methyl and ethyl esters) were produced from the extracted fish oil through transesterification with methanol or ethanol and sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The analysis showed that the produced biodiesels possess properties similar to conventional diesel, indicating their suitability for use in diesel engines. This research highlights the potential of fish waste valorization to reduce fossil fuel consumption and promote sustainable energy solutions.
Bousbaa, Hamza, NAIMA, Khatir, Lamia, Medjahed, Benramdane, Mohammed, Balasubramanian, Dhinesh, Johnson, Anish Jafrin Thilak
Optimizing Sustainable Energy Transition: A System Dynamics Approach for Biodiesel Integration in the Galapagos Islands2024-24-00319/18/2024
The Galapagos Islands have a protected marine reserve that currently gets most of its energy—over 80%—from fossil fuels like diesel. This reliance on fossil fuels is a significant issue because it impacts the environment and sustainability of the region. Understanding this heavy dependence is important for exploring alternatives that can provide cleaner energy. This paper introduces a new simulation model based on system dynamics to explore the effects of completely replacing fossil fuels with biodiesel as a short-term solution. The simulation uses current official data for the Galapagos Islands and connects different factors to calculate their effects all at once. Our goal is to identify the social, economic, energy-related, and environmental factors that make biodiesel a better choice than the currently used fossil fuels. We aim to find a way to keep the energy supply stable, as it mainly depends on internal combustion engines, while also quickly providing cleaner and greener energy with the resources we already have. Biodiesel can completely replace fossil fuels as an immediate short-term solution in the Galapagos Islands, providing a viable and advantageous option for energy supply that optimizes economic, social, energetic, and environmental conditions. With an adoption rate of 0.003—meaning that 3 out of every 1,000 people who currently use diesel switch to biodiesel each year—it is possible to establish biodiesel as the main fuel over a period of 5 years. In addition to using biodiesel as the only fuel source, within 5 years, it could cost 31.7% less if locally produced compared to diesel based on international prices. By 2050, CO2 emissions could drop from 8 million tons to 1 million tons. Our simulation, using real data, shows that adopting biodiesel within the current infrastructure is both viable and beneficial. It optimizes economic, social, energy-related, and environmental factors. We recommend this approach before adopting new technologies that claim zero CO2 emissions, as their potential environmental impacts are still unknown.
Gutierrez, Marcos, Taco, Diana
Study of Characterization of Nano-additives and Its Impact on the Diesel Engine Characteristics Fueled with Ternary Biodiesel Blend05-18-01-00028/31/2024
The present work deals with the effects of nano-additives on ternary blend biodiesel fuel added in diesel engine. The ternary blend comprises of mustard oil biodiesel and rice bran oil biodiesel, synthesized by means of transesterification and diesel. Nano-additives used in the current study include carbon nanotubes (CNT) and MgO/MgAl2O4 spinel, which were added in a suitable concentration to the biodiesel. CNTs were procured from the market and MgO/MgAl2O4 spinel was prepared by co-precipitation via ball milling process. The nano-additives were characterized by means of FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), AFM (atomic force microscopy), and DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) analysis. Biodiesel blend samples were prepared such as B20 (20% biodiesel + 80% diesel), B20 + CNT (1000 PPM), B20+MgO/MgAl2O4 spinel (1000 PPM), and B20+CNT+MgO/MgAl2O4 spinel (1000 PPM) were tested against diesel fuel. The maximum increase in brake thermal efficiency (BTE), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and the maximum reduction in brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), and smoke was observed for B20+CNT+MgO/MgAl2O4 at full load conditions when compared to B20. B20+CNT+MgO/MgAl2O4 indicated the maximum advancement of mass fraction burned (MFB) 50% compared to other fuel blends, which is reflected in the other performance, emission, and combustion characteristics. The highest peak cylinder pressure (Pcyl) was recorded for B20+MgO/MgAl2O4 despite the presence of large quantity of oxygen, which reduced slightly (0.63%) due to the addition of CNT. The highest heat release rate (HRR) was recorded for B20+MgO/MgAl2O4 in spite of presence of large quantity of oxygen which reduced slightly (1.73%) due to the addition of CNT.
Jeyakumar, Nagarajan, Dhinesh, Balasubramanian, Papla Venugopal, Inbanaathan
Study of Thermochemical and Transport Properties of Biodiesel from Azadirachta indica2024-01-50656/17/2024
This study proposes an investigation of the thermochemical and transport properties of biodiesel from Azadirachta indica (neem biodiesel). These properties are important in the CFD modeling process of hydrocarbon combustion. Two groups of properties are taken into account: on the one hand, the primary properties such as critical pressure, critical volume, critical temperature, boiling temperature, and normal melting point; on the other hand, secondary properties such as vapor pressure, liquid viscosity, latent heat of vaporization, liquid mass density, and surface tension. The group contribution model takes into account second-order groups used for the predictive proposition of primary properties. The secondary properties are generated by matrix programming of the available data. The primary properties thus determined are used as a digital database. After setting the boundary conditions, matrix writings are developed in the MATLAB code. The rendering obtained is exported in the form of a characteristic point gradient at the dependent parameter studied. The values obtained are as follows: 12.27 bar, 1111.39 cm3/mol, 752.72 bar, 587.35 K, and 334.70 K representing, respectively, the critical pressure, the critical volume, the critical temperature, the boiling temperature, and the normal melting point.
Ayissi, Merlin Zacharie, Mouzong, Francis Bongne, Mohamed, Bencherif, Obounou Akong, Marcel Brice, Mouangue, Ruben
Engine Behavior Analysis on a Conventional Diesel Engine Powered with Blends of Lemon Grass Oil Biodiesel–Diesel Blends03-17-08-00586/14/2024
Fossil fuel usage causes environmental pollution, and fuel depletion, further affecting a country’s economy. Biofuels and diesel-blended fuels are practical alternatives to sustain fossil fuels. This experimental study analyses lemongrass oil’s performance, emissions, and combustion characteristics after blending with diesel. Lemongrass oil is mixed with diesel at 10 (B10), 15 (B15), and 25% (B25) and evaluated using a 5.20 kW direct injection diesel engine. B10 brake thermal efficiency is 36.47%, which is higher than other blends. The B10 displays an 8.73% decrease in brake-specific fuel consumption compared to diesel. An increase in exhaust gas temperature for B10 than diesel is 4.5%. It indicates that higher lemongrass oil blends decrease exhaust gas temperature. The decrease in average carbon monoxide emissions in B10 to diesel is 22.19%. The decrease in hydrocarbon emissions for B10 to diesel is 7.14%. Biodiesel with lemongrass oil increases nitrogen oxide (NOx) because of increased temperature and poor combustion. Apart from NOx emissions, all other parameters of lemongrass oil blends are suitable for practical diesel applications. The significant findings benefit the biodiesel community toward the efficient combustion of biodiesel blends.
Swami Punniakodi, Banumathi Munuswamy, Arumugam, Chelliah, Suyambazhahan, Sivalingam, Senthil, Ramalingam, Balasubramanian, Dhinesh, Papla Venugopal, Inbanaathan, Nguyen, Van Nhanh, Cao, Dao Nam
Sustainable Fuels for Long-Haul Truck Engines: A 1D-CFD Analysis2024-37-00276/12/2024
Heavy duty engines for long-haul trucks are quite difficult to electrify, due to the large amount of energy that should be stored on-board to achieve a range comparable to that of conventional fuels. In particular, this paper considers a stock engine with a displacement of 12.9 L, developed by the manufacturer in two different versions. As a standard diesel, the engine is able to deliver about 420 kW at 1800 rpm, whereas in the compressed natural gas configuration the maximum power output is 330 kW, at the same speed. Three possible alternatives to these fossil fuels are considered in this study: biodiesel (HVOlution by Eni), bio-methane and green hydrogen. While the replacement of diesel and compressed natura gas with biofuels does not need significant hardware modifications, the implementation of a hydrogen spark ignition combustion system requires a deep revision of the engine concept. For a more straightforward comparison among the alternative fuels, the same engine platform has been considered. The hydrogen engine has been optimized with the support of CFD-1D simulation (GT-Power), using models calibrated with experimental data, obtained on the diesel and compressed natural gas versions. The numerical tool includes a predictive combustion model (SI-Turb), also calibrated with experimental data on a hydrogen prototype. The study shows that the implementation of a combustion system running on lean mixtures of hydrogen, permits to cancel the emissions of CO2, while maintaining the same power output of the compressed natural gas / bio-methane engine (but about 20% lower than the biodiesel). Moreover, the concentration of NOx is very low (<20 ppm) at all the operating conditions, enabling a strong simplification of the after-treatment system, at least in comparison to the original diesel/biodiesel version. Finally, the hydrogen solution exhibits an average increase of approximately 9% in efficiency respect to the compressed natural gas configuration, but it remains less efficient if compared to its biodiesel counterpart (-11%).
Volza, Antonello, Pisapia, Alfredo, Caprioli, Stefano, Rinaldini, Carlo, Mattarelli, Enrico
Spectroscopy-Based Machine Learning Approach to Predict Engine Fuel Properties of Biodiesel03-17-07-00514/11/2024
Various feedstocks can be employed for biodiesel production, leading to considerable variation in composition and engine fuel characteristics. Using biodiesels originating from diverse feedstocks introduces notable variations in engine characteristics. Therefore, it is imperative to scrutinize the composition and properties of biodiesel before deployment in engines, a task facilitated by predictive models. Additionally, the international commercialization of biodiesel fuel is contingent upon stringent regulations. The traditional experimental measurement of biodiesel properties is laborious and expensive, necessitating skilled personnel. Predictive models offer an alternative approach by estimating biodiesel properties without depending on experimental measurements. This research is centered on building models that correlate mid-infrared spectra of biodiesel and critical fuel properties, encompassing kinematic viscosity, cetane number, and calorific value. The novelty of this investigation lies in exploring the suitability of support vector machine (SVM) regression, a burgeoning machine learning algorithm, for developing these models. Hyperparameter optimization for the SVM models was conducted using the grid search method, Bayesian optimization, and gray wolf optimization algorithms. The resultant SVM models exhibited a noteworthy reduction in mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) for the prediction of biodiesel viscosity (3.1%), cetane number (3%), and calorific value (2.1%). SVM regression, thus, emerges as a proficient machine learning algorithm capable of establishing correlations between the mid-infrared spectra of biodiesel and its properties, facilitating the reliable prediction of biodiesel characteristics.
Bukkarapu, Kiran Raj, Krishnasamy, Anand
Diesel Oxidation Catalyst Performance with Biodiesel Formulations2024-01-27114/9/2024
Biodiesel (i.e., mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils and animal fats) is a renewable diesel fuel providing life-cycle greenhouse gas emission reductions relative to petroleum-derived diesel. With the expectation that there would be widespread use of biodiesel as a substitute for ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), there have been many studies looking into the effects of biodiesel on engine and aftertreatment, particularly its compatibility to the current aftertreatment technologies. The objective of this study was to generate experimental data to measure the effectiveness of a current technology diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) to oxidize soy-based biodiesel at various blend levels with ULSD. Biodiesel blends from 0 to 100% were evaluated on an engine using a conventional DOC. In the steady-state performance test where fuel dosing rate was increased at fixed DOC inlet temperature, B20 performed similarly to ULSD at the lowest flow rate or exhaust temperature over 340°C for medium and high flows. B50 blends performed nearly as well under most conditions. Higher blends exhibited reduced thermal efficiency and DOC outlet temperature with increasing dosing rate under most conditions and required exhaust temperatures over 400°C to achieve or nearly achieve performance similar to ULSD. In the steady-state light of test where fuel dosing rate is fixed but exhaust temperature is increased incrementally, B20 generally performed similarly to ULSD at the highest inlet temperature, with only minor deficiencies at lower temperatures. Higher blends exhibited lower thermal efficiency and did not achieve as high DOC outlet temperatures. In the transient light-off test light-off temperature for ULSD was typically less than 225°C, while for B100 it ranged from 290°C to 330°C. Based on the data set, it can be concluded that biodiesel fuels have a higher light-off temperature primarily because of their higher boiling points, with a minor secondary impact of their lower energy content.
Lakkireddy, Venkata, Weber, Phillip, McCormick, Robert, Howell, Steve
Performance Comparison Analysis between Biodiesel and Diesel over a Commercial DOC Catalyst2024-01-27074/9/2024
Biodiesel is a promising alternative to traditional diesel fuel due to its similar combustion properties to diesel and lower carbon emissions on a well-to-wheel basis. However, combusting biodiesel still generates hydrocarbon (HC), CO, NOx and particulate matter (PM) emissions, similar to those from traditional diesel fuel usage. Therefore, aftertreatment systems will be required to reduce these emissions to meet increasingly stringent emission regulations to minimize the impact to the environment. Diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) are widely used in modern aftertreatment systems to convert unburned HC and CO, to partially convert NO to NO2 to enhance downstream selective catalytic reaction (SCR) catalyst efficiency via fast SCR and to periodically clean-up DPF via controlled soot oxidation. In this work, we focus on the performance difference between biodiesel and diesel over a commercial DOC catalyst to identify the knowledge gap during the transition from diesel fuel to biodiesel. The results indicate that the tested biodiesel is harder to light-off than diesel. The biodiesel light-off over the DOC in the low temperature range is significantly impacted by its adsorption and condensation process over the DOC due to its high boiling temperature range. These observations are confirmed via carbon balance analysis as well as HC adsorption and temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) experimental results.
Xi, Yuanzhou, Ottinger, Nathan, Liu, Z. Gerald
EDITORIAL: The future is back24AUTP04_054/1/2024
As I was working on this issue's cover story - a look at the current state of low- and no-carbon fuels and the potential they hold - the cyclical nature of life made itself readily apparent (once again). I will warn those of you who were involved in the automotive industry a decade or two ago that you might experience similar flashbacks when you read about how eFuels could, if everything works the way it's supposed to, provide a way for much of today's internal combustion engines to power legitimately zero-new-emission vehicles, especially in regions of the world where EVs don't yet make sense. That's great. Well, it sounds great, at least. The many promises made by producers and researchers of synthetic fuels sound strikingly similar to what the companies supporting biofuels were saying back when George W. Bush was still president. The fuel is cleaner, they said. We can keep (some of) the same infrastructure, or just modify it slightly, they said. This will work with EVs to make the whole future brighter. That was the message. Obviously, ethanol and biodiesel have not taken over the world's gas stations. Just ask the Coskatas, BioWillies and Solazymes of the era. There are, of course, notable technical differences between those biofuels and the next-gen eFuels that some automakers and oil companies are researching today. I'm not trying to compare them directly to find out which is better. The point is, things often move in cycles. As different as the auto industry is from where it was in decades past, certain ideas just cycle their way in and then back out before returning.
Blanco, Sebastian
Items per page:
1 – 50 of 942