Performance and exhaust emission characteristics of a CI engine fueled with synthesized fuel blends

The aim of this study was using two types of solvents as additives for improving the viscosity and cold flow properties of biodiesel. In this study, low sulfur diesel fuel was blended with various types of substances including rapeseed biodiesel, n-hexane and n-heptane. 20 different fuel blends were prepared with 10% to 50% rapeseed biodiesel, 40% to 85% low sulfur diesel fuel and 5% to 10% different hydrocarbons (n-hexane and n-heptane) as additive. The fuel properties of blends (such as density, heat of combustion, cetane number and viscosity) were measured and compared with diesel fuel. It was found that, the fuel properties of 5% to 10% alkenes blends were close to the standard limits of diesel fuel standard EN 590 and these blends could be used directly in diesel engines. Engine performance and exhaust emission tests were performed with these blends. The blends even with high percentages of rapeseed biodiesel could be used in engines as fuel without engine modification. The fuel quality results showed that blends of n-hexane had better results than n-heptane blends. © Sila Science