Diesel Combustion of Emulsified Coconut Oil Biodiesel Fuel

Abstract

In order to reduce NOx and Smoke emissions from diesel engines with coconut oil methyl ester (CME), emulsified coconut oil methyl ester (ECME) was made using crude glycerol which is a by-product of transesterification, as an emulsifier. The combustion characteristics and exhaust emissions of ECME were investigated using a DI diesel engine. ECME showed better stability than emulsified rapeseed oil methyl ester (ERME). NOx and Smoke emissions of ECME reduced when the water content was increased up to 20 mass%. ECME with a water content of 15 mass% has lower HC, CO, NOx and Smoke emissions compared to ERME with the same water content due to the lower exhaust emissions of the CME base fuel. From the experimental results, it is concluded that the combustion characteristics and exhaust emissions of emulsified biodiesel are affected by the base fuel.