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Beef tallow as a biodiesel fuel
Abstract
Blends of diesel fuel, methyl tallowate, methyl soyate and ethanol were prepared. Physical and fuel properties including viscosity, specific gravity, API gravity, distillation ranges, calculated cetane index, energy content, flash point, water content, sulfur content, carbon residue, particulate matter, acid value, copper strip corrosion test, ash content, melting point, cloud point, pour point and major constituents of the blends were determined. Viscosity of methyl tallowate was reduced to that of No 2 diesel fuel by blending 35% (v/v) ethanol. Blends of ethanol and methyl tallowate had melting, cloud and pour points lower than methyl tallowate. All other fuel properties of methyl tallowate and methyl soyate were close to the properties of No.2 diesel fuel. Performance and emissions characteristics of all fuel blends were evaluated in a Cummins N14-410 diesel engine and compared to engine operation with No.2 diesel fuel. Engine performance was satisfactory without significant reduction in power and torque. There was a slight increase in brake specific fuel consumption. Only hydrocarbon exhaust emissions were affected by increases in the amount of alternative fuel in the blend. Based on engine performance and emissions analyses, an optimum blend of 80:13:7% (v/v) diesel fuel:methyl tallowate:ethanol was recommended, and a 200-hour endurance test was performed using an Engine Manufacturer's Association test procedure. Engine performance was satisfactory for 148 h. Three different injectors failed in the subsequent 49 h of operation. The failures were due to cracks across the injector tips. The injector cracking was not due to the fuel, but rather due to improper injector installation. Otherwise, power output, torque produced and brake specific fuel consumption remained, more or less, constant throughout the test period. Engine wear were less than the recommended limits for standard diesel fuel. Engine in-cylinder pressure characteristics were evaluated using engine cycle analysis data. It was observed that peak pressure was always less than the peak pressure produced by No.2 diesel fuel. Rate of heat release and charge temperatures also were less than those for No.2 diesel fuel. It was concluded that the fuel blends used in this research would have no detrimental effects on long term engine performance, engine wear and knock.
Subject Area
Automotive materials|Environmental science|Energy|Chemical engineering
Recommended Citation
Ali, Yusuf, "Beef tallow as a biodiesel fuel" (1995). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9611038.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9611038