An experimental study about the effects of biodiesel blends on performance and emissions

Diesel fuels are used in many areas and take an important place in country's economy. Decreasing of oil day by day, petroleum crisises and increasing environmental consciousness cause to the interest in renewable energy sources. Biodiesel, which can be produced from edible sources as vegetable oils and animal fats, is an alternative fuel for diesel engines.And also it is non-toxic, biodegradable, environmental friendly fuel. European Union's 2003/30/EC directive brings a must that %2 biofuel should be added to the fossil fuels on the market at the end of 2005. In this study, different types of biodiesels, as an alternative fuel instead of fossil fuels, were tested on a diesel engine which had a direct injection system. Our biodiesels which were obtained by mixing %20 soybean + %20 sunflower + %60 canola and by mixing %30 kanola + %70 soybean were tested in order to approach engine moment, engine power and specific fuel consumption which is said engine performans characteristics. Exhaust emissions values were proped from diesel engine's exhaust way out pipe with exhaust gas analysis device. Besides, the variations of internal pressure of cylinder were proped. Before test, engine was tested with reference fuel. Performance and exhaust characteristics were referanced in alternative fuel test's. For each fuel mixture, the testing results were compared with referance charasteristics and finally they were presented with graphs. Keywords : Diesel engine, alternative fuels, biodiesel, engine performance, exhaust gas emissions, in cylinder pressure variation