Fuel properties, performance and emission characterization of waste cooking oil (WCO) in a variable compression ratio (VCR) diesel engine

Abstract

The current study investigates the fuel properties, performance and emission characteristics in a variable compression ratio (VCR) diesel of the biodiesel produced from the waste cooking oil (WCO). The WCO samples were collected from the university and converted to biodiesel fuel with a two-step transesterification reaction. The fuel property tests showed that the properties of the WCO biodiesel were within the biodiesel standards. Diesel, WCO biodiesel and diesel-WCO biodiesel blend (B20) was used as fuel in a VCR engine. The performance and emission characteristics of the engine were measured at two different compression ratios (14:1 and 16:1) under partial load conditions. The experimental results showed that WCO biodiesel slightly decreased the brake thermal efficiency and thus increased specific fuel consumption. Biodiesel usage improved CO emissions up to 21,75% compared to diesel fuel. But, biodiesel usage increased CO 2 and NO x emission due to higher combustion temperature and extra oxygen content of the biodiesel.