Oxidation stability of biofuel containing Camelina sativa oil methyl esters and its impact on energy and environmental indicators of diesel engine

This report includes assessments of comparative studies on the physical, chemical, and motor properties of stored biofuels produced from Camelina sativa oil. The properties of biofuel containing C. sativa oil methyl esters (CMEs) were compared with the properties of fossil diesel fuel and standardized rapeseed oil methyl ester (RME) and fossil diesel fuel blends. To ensure compliance with the requirements for fatty acid methyl esters established by the EN 14214 standard, pure CMEs were blended with methyl esters of animal origin, the content of which accounted for 32% of the blend. Motor studies were carried out in the VALMET 320 DMG diesel engine while using fuel blends consisting of 30% of a mixture of C. sativa oil and pork lard methyl esters and 70% fossil diesel fuel. Environmental and energy indicators were compared with indicators related to RME and fossil diesel fuel. In the course of the experiments, it was established that when no anti-oxidant was used, the C. sativa oil and pork lard methyl ester mixtures met the requirements of the oxidation standard only during the first month of storage, whereas the physical properties did not change considerably during the whole storage period. Due to the properties of fuels containing C. sativa oil methyl esters, they can be used in cold climate areas in summertime. As a result of performing measurements of emissions of hazardous components, it was observed that throughout the storage period, the maximum reduction of CO reached 7–10%, whereas the decrease in HC was – 5–8% and that of NOx was approximately 4%. The most significant effect was detected in the case of smoke intensity, where the reduction reached 20–25%, and the useful effect increased to 4%.

► We present the results of the engine tests when fueling with biodiesel containing Camelina sativa methyl esters.
► We examine dependence of the engine and environmental characteristics on storage of biodiesel fuel.
► Characteristics of fuel with C. sativa methyl esters after storage are presented.