Emission study of palm biodiesel and octanol blends in a direct injection diesel engine

In this experimental study, palm biodiesel and octanol were employed in an unmodified diesel engine and its effects on exhaust emissions were studied. The evaluated test fuels were diesel (D100), palm biodiesel (BD100), 90% of biodiesel and 10% of octanol blend (B90A10), 80% of biodiesel and 20% of octanol blend (B80A20), and 70% of biodiesel and 30% of octanol blend (B70A30). The experimental results were compared with those of diesel fuel. Results show that the addition of octanol enhances emission characteristics owing to its inherent oxygen content. A significant reduction in carbon monoxide (1.7 g/kWh) and hydrocarbon emissions (0.39 g/kWh) was found when adding octanol in biodiesel at all engine loads. However, a significant increase in oxides of nitrogen emission (1.18 g/kWh) was found when adding octanol in biodiesel. Overall, the octanol blending in palm biodiesel can be a potential alternative fuel owing to its better emission characteristics.