Influence of Palm Oil Biodiesel Blend Preheating on Performance Parameters, Emissions and Combustion Characteristics in a Stationary Diesel Engine

This research evaluates the effect of preheating in different blends of palm oil biodiesel in a stationary diesel engine. For the research development, the characteristics of performance, emissions (CO, CO2, NOx, HC, and smoke opacity), combustion chamber pressure, and heat release rates are evaluated. Experimental tests were conducted at three load conditions (50%, 75%, and 100%) and three biodiesel blends (BP5%, BP10%, and BP15%). To study the effect of preheating, a fuel injection temperature of 30 °C to 70 °C was set. The results obtained show a 6.40% increase in BSFC and a 4.41% reduction in engine BTE when running with biodiesel blends. However, preheating in biodiesel blends led to lower BSFC and higher BTE by 2.08% and 2.12%. The preheating of palm oil biodiesel (BP5%, BP10%, and BP15%) favored the decrease in CO, HC, and engine smoke opacity emission levels by 29%, 37.31%, and 7.84%. The additional presence of oxygen molecules and the increase in fuel injection temperature contribute to the formation of NOx emissions. The increase in injection temperature causes an increase in peak combustion pressure levels and heat release rate by 2.53% and 2.41%. In general, preheating palm oil biodiesel is a promising strategy to minimize the negative effects caused by the high density and viscosity of this type of fuel.