An experimental invesigation on use of vegetable oils as diesel engine fuels

Today, there are intensive researches going on recyclable energy resources. The trend that having run out of existing energy resources on alternative fuels to be used for vehicles has accelerated. Upon several researches, possibilities have been considered as to the use of vegetable oils for diesel engines as alternative fuels. In this study, possibility of industrial type oils as alternative sources of fuel for diesel engines was sought. For this reason, sunflower and soybean oils together with sunflower methyl esther and soybean methyl esther were tried in a single-cylinder, four-stroke, 770 cc diesel engine at full load-different engine speeds and constant speed (1300 rpm, 1500 rpm)-different loads and engine performance and emission values were observed. These were all compared with diesel fuel values. Moreover, the engine was subjected to 50- hour strength test and combustion room, injectors and valves were examined for residual carbon exhaust. As a result of engine performance and exhaust emission experiments, it has been determined that vegetable oils and vegetable methyl esther can be used as alternative fuels to diesel engine fuels in physical and chemical properties, it has also been determined that, methyl esthers are better fuels than vegetable oils in enduring applications. Science code : 225.06.01Key Words : Alternatives Fuels, Diesel Fuels, Vegetable Oils, Methyl Esthers