Effect of Waste Cooking Oil Biodiesel Blend with Diesel Fuel on Performance and Emission Characteristics

Abstract

The increasing global demand for energy, coupled with the depletion of fossil fuels, rising exhaust emissions, and the threat of global warming, has spurred a quest for alternative fuels. In this context, biodiesel has emerged as a viable option, particularly when produced from waste cooking oil through the transesterification process. Blends of waste cooking oil biodiesel and diesel oil were formulated at volume percentages of 10, 20, and 30%, denoted as B10, B20, and B30, respectively. The physical and chemical characteristics of these biodiesel blends closely resembled those of conventional diesel fuel. The study involved experimental investigations into diesel engine performance and exhaust emissions during the combustion of waste cooking oil blends with diesel fuel. The experiments were conducted across various engine loads, ranging from zero to full load. Results indicated that thermal efficiencies for waste cooking oil biodiesel blends were inferior to those observed with diesel oil. Additionally, specific fuel consumption for biodiesel blends was higher compared to diesel fuel. Higher exhaust gas temperatures were noted for biodiesel blends in comparison to diesel oil. CO2 emissions from waste cooking oil biodiesel blends were found to be elevated when compared to diesel oil. On the other hand, emissions of CO, smoke opacity, and HC were lower for biodiesel blends compared to conventional diesel fuel. Notably, NOx emissions for biodiesel blends surpassed those of diesel fuel.