Impacts of Biodiesel Storage Duration on Fuel Properties and Emissions

Biodiesel produced from any fat or oil blended with diesel in different percentage has emerged as an alternative diesel and renewable energy. In Malaysia, crude palm oil (CPO) is the most preferable feedstock to be converted into biodiesel via transesterification process. This study aimed to investigate the effects of storage duration of variant blending biodiesel ratio under different storage temperature on fuel properties and exhaust emissions. The biodiesel samples were stored in clinical compartment, at different temperatures and were monitored at regular interval over a period of 60 days. Blending of biodiesel are varied from 5vol%(B5)similar to 45vol%(B45) and storage temperature from 5 degrees C similar to 30 degrees C. The tests subject presented in this research is performed according to ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standard. The effects of storage conditions on properties of biodiesel such as density, kinematics viscosity, acid value, water content and flash point of biodiesel were discussed in detail. Furthermore, the experimental with burner system was carried out to observe the influences of storage method on emission aspects. Analysis of the measurement performed shows that the biodiesel density, viscosity and carbon monoxide are affected by storage duration and storage temperature. High blending ratio exhibits relative variant in emissions production due to the higher oxygenated fuel. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.