Comparison of properties of ternary fuel blends of diesel-octanol with biodiesel

Abstract

Biodiesel is adopted by many countries as a substitute to diesel and is used in blended form in a diesel engine. It has very similar properties to diesel. However, owing to slightly higher viscosity, density and nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions on burning, it still is not the best choice. Octanol, have similar properties to diesel. Octanol has added oxygen and also reduces the NOX emissions due to the quenching effect in the cylinder. However, its lower calorific value shall reduce engine performance. In the current study, waste cooking oil biodiesel is produced by a single step transesterification process and several blends of diesel, biodiesel and octanol were prepared. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and oxidation stability tests of the produced biodiesel were performed. FTIR test confirmed the presence of biodiesel. Oxidation stability test of biodiesel was also passed as the induction time in over 6 hours. Blends of diesel and octanol were prepared in proportion of diesel (95%, 90%, 85% and 80%) and octanol (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%). These blends were added to 3%, 5% and 10% biodiesel. Several physico-chemical properties namely density, viscosity, calorific value, flash point and cold filter plugging point (CFPP) were determined as per ASTM standards. It is concluded that the 10% octanol, 90% diesel when mixed with 10% biodiesel showed very similar properties to diesel and shall be a viable alternative to petroleum diesel.