TITLE:
Engine Performance and Exhaust Emissions of Peanut Oil Biodiesel
AUTHORS:
Bjorn S. Santos, Sergio C. Capareda, Jewel A. Capunitan
KEYWORDS:
Biodiesel; Peanut Oil; Engine Performance; Exhaust Emissions
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Sustainable Bioenergy Systems,
Vol.3 No.4,
December
6,
2013
ABSTRACT: The engine performance and exhaust emissions of
biodiesel produced from peanut oil must be evaluated to assess its potential as
an alternative diesel fuel. In this study, two diesel engines rated at 14.2 kW
(small) and 60 kW (large) were operated on pure peanut oil biodiesel (PME) and
its blends with a reference diesel (REFDIESEL). Results showed that comparable
power and torque were delivered by both the small and large engines when ran on
pure PME than on REFDIESEL while brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) was
found to be higher in pure PME. Higher exhaust concentrations of nitrogen
oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2) and total hydrocarbons
(THC) and lower carbon monoxide (CO) emissions were observed in the small
engine when using pure PME. Lower CO2, CO and THC emissions were
obtained when running the large engine with pure PME. Blends with low PME
percentage showed insignificant changes in both engine performance and exhaust
emissions as compared with the reference diesel. Comparison with soybean
biodiesel indicates similar engine performance. Thus, blends of PME with diesel
may be used as a supplemental fuel for steady-state non-road
diesel engines to take advantage of the lubricity of biodiesel as well as
contributing to the goal of lowering the dependence to petroleum diesel.