Diesel engine performance and emission evaluation using Canola biodiesel emulsion fuel

Diesel engines exhausting gaseous emission and particulate matter have long been regarded as one of the major air pollution sources. The emulsification method is not only motivated by cost reduction but is also one of the potentially effective techniques to reduce exhaust emission from diesel engines. An experimental investigation was carried out to produce a biodiesel emulsion fuel to be used in a diesel engine under different operating conditions. The proper mixing technique and surfactants were used to produce stable emulsions of 15% water by volume in biodiesel. The properties of emulsion fuel such as density, viscosity and pour point were observed. The performance of a single cylinder diesel engine in terms of engine speed, brake power output, specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency, exhaust gas temperature and emissions such as NOx and particulate matter were measured and analysed with the prepared emulsified biodiesel. The results showed that the water emulsification has a potential to improve the diesel engine performance and to reduce gas pollutants.