Improving the Performance Characteristics and Emission Reduction of Small Diesel Engine Operated with Biodiesel Fuel

This research aims to enhance the performance characteristics of diesel engine fuelled with biodiesel produced from waste cooking oils. The effects of fuel injection pressure (IP) on the performance characteristics of diesel engine and emission pollutants are investigated through experimental works using one cylinder diesel engine, direct injection using conventional petroleum diesel and two biodiesel blends (B5) from waste oil i.e. palm and sunflower oil. Five different IPs 100, 110, 130 and 140 kg/cm², were used besides the original IP of 120 kg/cm². Performance characteristics of diesel engine such as brake power, brake specific fuel consumption and exhaust emission such as CO, CO₂, HC, NO_x and PM have been measured while the engine speed is ranged from 1500 to 3500rpm and constant load (65%). The results showed a significant enhancement of the performance of diesel engine fuelled with biodiesel at an IP of 130 kg/cm².