Influence of biodiesel blends on characteristics of gaseous emissions from two stroke, low speed marine diesel engines

Abstract

As a renewable source of energy, biofuels have a favourable impact on the environment and can replace fossil fuels to some extent. Biodiesel is one option for reducing the emission of pollutants and GHG in the shipping sector. By 2030, Lloyd Register predicts a global demand for about 100 million tons of biofuel in shipping, mostly biodiesel. This study investigates the influence of biodiesel blends on the characteristics of gaseous emissions from a two-stroke, low speed marine diesel engine. For this research, a reversible low-speed two-stroke marine diesel engine was used, without any after-treatment devices installed or engine control technology for reducing pollutant emission. Tests were carried out on three regimes of engine speed, 150, 180 and 210 rpm under heavy propeller condition, while the ship was berthed in the harbour. The engine was fuelled with low sulfur diesel fuel and blends containing 7 and 25% v/v of three types of second-generation biodiesel made from cast-off sunflower and palm oil waste from frying. For biodiesel production, a base-catalyzed transesterification was implemented. Biodiesel blends show better emission performance in regard to NOx, SO2, CO, and CO2 than pure low sulfur diesel fuel.