PERFORMANCE OF NEW PETRO/ BIO-FUEL BLENDS

Abstract

Research axes towards studying the performance of different types of bio-fuels/ petro-fuel blends. The target of this study is to determine the type and blend ratio of bio-fuel, obtained from used vegetable oils, and petro-fuels, to be used as an effective alternative fuel. To achieve this target, different blends of gasoline, bio-ethanol and light cut biodiesel were prepared using different blend ratios. Fuel properties such as octane number, flash point, pour point, kinematic viscosity and copper corrosion were evaluated. In addition, other evaluation criteria have been studied. These include ignition performance parameters (brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and exhaust emission parameters (UHC, NOx and CO). Results showed that most of the prepared blends exhibit fuel properties very similar to those of commercial gasoline. The blend formed of Gasoline 92.5%, Ethanol 5% and biodiesel 2.5%showed better ignition performance and released less emission in comparison to petro-gasoline. Another part of thesis is the experimental concerning performances and pollution of a diesel engine fueled with biodiesel (used oil methyl esters)-diesel fuel-bioethanol (BDE) blend compared with diesel fuel in laboratory tests. The blend ratio used in this study was20:75: 5 (biodiesel: diesel fuel: ethanol) by volume. The results showed that the physicochemicalproperties ofternary blend are similar to the diesel fuel. The experimental results showed also that the performance of CI engine reduce smoke opacity and increase the brake specific fuel consumption.