Combustion, Ecological, and Energetic Indicators for Mixtures of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) with Duck Fat Applied as Fuel in a Compression Ignition Engine

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the application of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) mixed with pure duck fat (F100) as fuel, replacing the conventional fossil diesel fuel (D100). The tests were performed using a four-stroke direct injection CI engine diesel engine. Six fuel samples were used: D100, HVO100, F100, as well as three HVO-fat mixtures F25, F50, and F75. To further study the main characteristics of fuel combustion, the AVL BOOST software (Burn program) was applied. The results of experimental studies showed that with the addition of pure fat to HVO, the ignition delay phase increased with an increase in the amount of heat released during the premix combustion phase and the pressure and temperature rise in the cylinder increased; however, the mentioned parameters were not higher as compared to diesel fuel. It was found that as the concentration of fat in the HVO-fat mixtures increases, the viscosity and density increases, while LHV was decreased, which thereby increases brake specific fuel consumption and slightly decreases brake thermal efficiency in comparison to diesel fuel. A decrease of CO2, HC, NOx emissions, and smoke was established for all HVO-fat mixtures as compared to diesel fuel at all loads; however; under low loads, CO emissions increased.

Automated summary

The addition of pure fat to HVO resulted in changes in combustion characteristics, with an increase in ignition delay phase, heat released during premix combustion, pressure, and temperature rise in the cylinder, although not exceeding those of diesel fuel. As the concentration of fat in the HVO-fat mixtures increased, viscosity and density increased while lower heating value decreased, leading to increased brake specific fuel consumption and slightly decreased brake thermal efficiency. Additionally, all HVO-fat mixtures showed reductions in CO2, HC, NOx emissions, and smoke compared to diesel fuel, although CO emissions increased under low loads.