Experimental investigation of the effects of using biofuel blends with conventional diesel on the performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of an industrial burner

Abstract

liquid biofuels are one of the most widely utilized today, bioethanol and biodiesel are essential to the development and advancement of the industry. In this research, an experimental investigation of the effects of biofuel blends with diesel on pollutant emissions and combustion characteristics of a 350-kW industrial burner. Tested fuel blends were D100, D50B50 (50% diesel and 50% biodiesel by volume), D50B50E15 (50% diesel, 50% biodiesel, and 15% bioethanol by volume), and D50B50E25 (50% diesel, 50% biodiesel and 25% bioethanol by volume). The equivalence ratio was adjusted to five values by varying the air flow rate and maintaining the fuel flow rate constant at 0.14 l/min.CO, HC, soot, and NOx were measured. Also, flame temperatures were recorded at different positions. The result indicates that utilizing the fuel blends D50B50, D50B50E15, and D50B50E25 reduces CO by (about 19, 69, and 65%), HC by (about 18, 37 and 28%), and smoke opacity emissions by (about 8, 50, and 30%) respectively, compared to diesel fuel. On the other hand, NOx emission significantly rises at D50B50E15 and D50B50E25. In terms of combustion characteristics. Biofuel mixture D50B50, D50B50E15, and D50B50E25 increase exhaust gas temperatures by (about 2, 3 and 1%), and maximum gas flames (about 5, 9 and 4%) respectively, compared to diesel. The ethanol percentage of more than 15% in the blends lowers the maximum flame temperature within the furnace and reduces the length and area of the flame. It is evident from this research that biofuel for industrial burners can produce optimum combustion characteristics and lower emissions.