Usage of methyl ester of tall oil fatty acids and resinic acids as alternative diesel fuel

In the experimental study, tall oil fatty and resinic acids were investigated as alternative diesel fuels. The fatty acids, obtained by distilling the crude tall oil, were esterified with methanol in order to obtain tall oil methyl ester (biodiesel). Blends of the methyl ester, resinic acids and diesel fuel were prepared for test fuels. Performance and emission tests of the test fuels were carried out in an unmodified direct injection diesel engine on full load conditions. The results showed that the specific fuel consumption (SFC) with the blend fuels did not show a significant change. CO emission and smoke level decreased up to 23.91% and 19.40%, respectively. In general, NOx emissions showed on trend of increasing with the blend fuels (up to 25.42%). CO2 emissions did not vary with the blend fuels significantly. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.