Investigation of the effects of safflower oil methyl and ethyl esters on the performance, combustion and exhaust emissions in diesel engines

In this study, the effects of biodiesel produced from safflower oil,which has a great growing potential in Turkey, as an alternative fuel on combustion, performance and exhaust emissions in a diesel engine were investigated. For this purpose, in the light of informations presented in the literature, both ethyl and methyl esters based biofuels from safflower oil were produced via transesterification reaction. Safflower oil ethyl and methyl esters were tested in engine in the forms of both as pure (M100, E100) and in blends with diesel (M50, D50, M20D80, E50D50, E20D80). Experiments were conducted using test fuels and engine was run at a constant speed of 1500 rpm and at four different power output corresponding to 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% of max output power at this speed (noload, 3,6 kw, 7,2 kw and 10,8 kw). Results were compared with diesel fuel for same experimental conditions. For Blends containing %20 biodiesel the starting points of combustion is improved, and for all test fuels, similar combustion behaviour was observed, However, in case of pure biodiesel fuels, irregularity curves were seen mass fuel consumption was higher for both ethyl and methyl esters than for diesel due to lower heating value of biodiesel fuels. However, for 20% biodiesel containing blends, specific fuel parameter consumption and efficiency were improved with developing the combustion. These results were better for methyl ester biodiesel than ethyl one due to higher heating value.