THE EFFECT OF A WASTE VEGETABLE OIL BLEND WITH DIESEL FUEL ON ENGINE PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Vegetable oil fuels can be considered a renewable energy resource. Waste vegetable oil–diesel fuel blends can recycle used frying oil, which is essentially a waste product. The objective of this work was to determine the feasibility of running a 10% waste vegetable oil–90% diesel fuel blend during a 500–h period in a 3–cylinder direct–injection, 2500 cm 3 Diter diesel engine. Periodically, several tests were carried out to evaluate the performance and implications of such an approach. The long–term performance of this fuel was monitored by measuring the viscosity of the lubricating oil, abnormal functioning of the engine, power loss, and excessive smoke output compared to straight diesel fuel. The results revealed an approximately 12% power loss, slight fuel consumption increase, and normal smoke emissions. Combustion efficiency dropped slightly during the testing period. It can be concluded from this field study that the Diter diesel engine, without any modifications, ran successfully on a blend of 10% waste oil–90% diesel fuel without externally apparent damage to the engine parts. Nevertheless, it appears that the long–term use of waste oil blended with diesel fuel may need further testing before use as a viable energy solution.