Investigation of the Impact Bioethanol Blends into Biodiesel on Combustion Characteristics, Engine Performance, and Emissions of Diesel Engine

Emissions from a diesel engine are dangerous to the environment and human health. Substitutable fuels from a renewable source are one of the alternatives to reduce emissions. Neat biodiesel from based palm oil (B100) can reduce emissions from higher oxygen content to be more complete combustion. The disadvantage of neat biodiesel is lower thermal efficiency from an advancement ignition. To improve this problem, adding bioethanol produced from agriculture products into neat biodiesel by weight ratio as B100E5 (95% B100 with 5% bioethanol) and B100E10 (90% B100 with 10% bioethanol). Hence, the focus of this research is to examine the combustion and emission characteristics, including engine performance, of bioethanol blends into neat biodiesel fuels (B100E5 and B100E10) compared with neat biodiesel (B100). All samples were tested at an engine load of 140 NM with constant engine speeds of 1000, 1500, and 2000 RPM on a diesel engine. The results of bioethanol blends into biodiesel fuels indicate that the pressure in the combustion cylinder and rate of heat release increase with increasing percentages of bioethanol. B100E10 shows the highest brake thermal efficiency. The smoke intensity of bioethanol blends into biodiesel fuels is reduced by more than 50% when compared to neat biodiesel fuel, and higher NOx emission from higher oxygen content in the fuels.