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Waste vegetable oil as a diesel fuel extender

University of British Columbia

The possibility of using waste vegetable oil from deep-frying processes as a fuel for long term use in diesel engines was investigated. Research was aimed at using existing technology in terms of engine design in order to utilize a maximum amount of waste vegetable oil as the energy source with a minimum of processing. A small swirl-chamber diesel engine was selected and used to run the 200-hour test recommended by the EMA for testing vegetable oil-based fuels. A blend of 20/80 (waste oil/diesel fuel) was tested as well as a 50/50 blend. BSFC data for both blends did not indicate any significant deterioration in engine performance during the 200 hour tests for ail the fuels tested. However, the 50/50 blend BSFC data had more spread than the data from the 20/80 or the diesel baseline test. This was attributed to variable amounts of deposits on the injector nozzle throughout this test Carbon deposits on all other parts of the combustion chamber were comparable for all the fuels tested. Wear of the engine parts was also comparable except for the piston rings. Piston ring wear was greater with diesel fuel and smaller when burning the 50/50 blend. This was attributed to a film of unburned fuel on the cylinder wall that improved lubrication. Lower -lubricating oil consumption was also attributed to this film. The alternate fuel blends completed the 200 hour EMA screening test and could be considered as possible candidates for long-term use in I.D.I, engines.

Text

2010-07-20

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/26712

Biomedical Engineering

University of British Columbia

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