THE ANALYSIS OF THE MOTOR CHARACTERISTICS OF D-RME-E FUEL BLEND DURING ON-FIELD TESTS

A detailed analysis of the characteristics of D-RME-E (diesel-rapeseed methyl ester-ethanol) was carefully performed fuelling an 18 kW capacity tractor unit equipped with the four-stroke D21A1 diesel engine (combustion chamber consists of a dished piston). The conducted on-field test demonstrated a positive effect on the dynamic and ecological characteristics of the tractor unit while fuelling the engine with biodiesel blend 70% D+30% RME (hereinafter - B30) admixed with dehydrated ethanol additive (5% (v/v)). This compound did not affect a decrease in the diesel engine power, and in the range of experiment error, showed a tendency of similar to 2% fuel economy compared to pure B30. A dramatic decrease in PM (40%), HC (25%) and CO (6%) emissions comparing to fossil diesel was observed when operating the tractor unit at maximum traction power which is a characteristic operating mode of the heavy duty transport means of agricultural purpose. NOx emission of the proposed D-RME-E blend showed a tendency to decrease to 4% compared to B30.