Effect of Pyrogallol as an Antioxidant on the Performance and Emission Characteristics of Biodiesel Derived from Waste Cooking Oil

Dwindling fossil fuels have forced us to maintain the current levels of energy use and transport systems, forcing us to find alternative fuels. The study deals with the extraction of biodiesel from waste cooking oil using trans-esterification process and blending with additive Pyrogallol to stabilize oxidation stability. In order to fulfill EN 14214 and ASTM 6751 standards, Pyrogallol as an additive was added to the biodiesel to increase the oxidation stability. Performance and emission investigation on a single cylinder direct ignition engine at half and full loads was carried out using three fuel blends, biodiesel-diesel (B20), biodiesel-diesel-additive (B20A) and fossil diesel. The viscosity and Cetane Number of B20 and B20A are found to be (30.39% & 13.79%) and (5.43% & 2.23%) more than diesel. Engine performance and emissions were observed at a rated speed of 1500 rpm under two loading conditions (half and full). For 50% load, BTHE and BSFC for the engine running with biodiesel blend B20 and B20A are found to be 1.61% & 0.12% and 0.295% & 0.0295% higher than diesel. CO2 and NO2 emissions for B20 and B20A were found to be 5.49% & 3.64% and (1.24% & 0.31%) higher, while CO and UBHC were 33.33% & 16.67% and 6.98% & 2.33% lower compared to diesel. Addition of Pyrogallol brought the fuel properties, performance and emission parameters closer to that of diesel.