Biodiesel-Fueled Compression Ignition Engines: Reviewing The Impact Of Feedstock Diversity On Performance And Emissions

Abstract

With the depletion of fossil fuel reserves, there is a tremendous importance in the search of alternative fuels for automotive engines. These fuels have a number of advantages including renewability, lower emissions, energy security and lower operating costs. Among them algae-based biodiesel has become a good alternative and sustainable resource because of its low sulfur content and about 10% oxygen, which  facilitates combustion efficiency. Its higher cetane number also leads to better quality of ignition regardless of the blend ratio. This paper highlights a comparative evaluation of different biodiesel fuels based on the influence of fuels on compression ignition (CI) engine performance and emissions. Key performance parameters such as brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and brake thermal efficiency (BTE) are studied as well as emission parameters in terms of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC), particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Studies have shown that biodiesel and biodiesel blends typically increase BSFC, BTE, and brake power, and decrease CO, CO2, and HC emission. The increase in NOx emissions can be lifted slightly by means of suitable additives. Algae biodiesel has the same performance and properties as conventional diesel and therefore can be used in existing engines with no engine modifications. Future research should be conducted on the optimization of algal biodiesel with additives for better performances and its utilization for sustainable energy applications.