Ignition delay, combustion and emission characteristics of Diesel engine fueled with rapeseed biodiesel - A literature review

Biodiesel is one of the biodegradable and renewable fuels, which is originated from vegetable oil or animal fats. Rapeseed biodiesel is a kind of biofuel which is gaining acceptance in the market due to many ‎environmental and economic benefits. It can be used alone or in a blend with Diesel fuel, directly in compression ‎ignition engines, without any modifications. This review collects and analyzes published papers concerning the usage of rapeseed biodiesel as an alternative fuel in Diesel ‎engines. It covers engine combustion, ‎performance and emissions characteristics. Research results reveal that ‎rapeseed‎ biodiesel, ‏either pure or blended with Diesel, ‎‏has ‎lower ‎heat ‎release rate, reduced ignition delay, lower thermal efficiency and ‎higher brake ‎specific ‎fuel ‎consumption. Carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) exhaust emissions are up to 60% lower, while carbon dioxide (CO2) ‎and nitrogen oxides (NOx) ‎are ‎higher in comparison to Diesel fuel. This behavior is explained by the shorter ignition delay and advanced fuel injection when using rapeseed oil.