The effect of n-butanol additive on low load combustion, performance and emissions of biodiesel-diesel blend in a heavy duty diesel power generator

Diesel power generators are often used under partially load conditions. Especially, under low load conditions, it is crucial to find a solution for their considerably high brake specific fuel consumption (bsfc) and exhaust output emissions. Other points are the usability of waste cooking oil and an oxygenated alternative fuel in low load conditions of diesel generator. In this point of view, 10% n-butanol and 10% biodiesel mixture was blended with 80% of ultra low sulfur diesel fuel named here as BB20 was used and comparisons have been made with 20% biodiesel/80% diesel fuel named here as B20 and ultra low sulfur diesel fuel named here as (D2). Previously, main important physical and chemical fuel properties of test fuel have been found. These fuels were tested in low load operations of a diesel engine generator in order to find out the effects of blend fuels on combustion characteristics, performance and emissions of the test engine. The test results are presented in this paper and seem to raise quite interesting points. Butanol addition to diesel and biodiesel blends can be considered as a good solution for reducing density, viscosity and thus sustainable usability of biodiesel and increase thermal efficiency and lower carbon monoxide (CO) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) under comparatively lower load conditions in diesel power generator engines.