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Biodiesel Production from Waste Pork Lard and an Experimental Investigation of its Use as an Alternate Fuel in a DI Diesel Engine

A P Sathiyagnanam1 , K Vijayaraj2, and C G Saravanan3
1.Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu, India.
2.Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu, India.

Abstract—Biodiesel is an alternative diesel fuel that can be produced from different kinds of vegetable oils and animal fats. It is an oxygenated, non-toxic, sulphur-free, biodegradable, and renewable fuel and can be used in diesel engines without significant modification. However, the performance, emissions and combustion characteristics will be different if it is used in different types of engine. In this study, the biodiesel produced from waste pork lard by transesterification process and Waste Pork Lard Methyl Ester (WPLME) blends of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% in volume are compared with diesel fuel. WPLME has properties that differ from diesel fuel. A minor increase in Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC) and slight decrease in Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) for its blends were observed. The significant reduction of Hydro Carbon (HC) and smoke emission was found for WPLME and its blends at high engine loads. Carbon monoxide (CO) revealed no evident variation for all tested blend. Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) were slightly higher for WPLME and its blends. The significant improvement in reduction of NOx and a minor increase in CO2 and O2 were identified with the use of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). WPLME and its blends exhibit combustion stages similar to diesel fuel. The use of transesterified WPLME can be partially substituted for the diesel fuel at most operating conditions in terms of the performance parameters and emissions without any engine modification.

Index Terms—Waste pork lard methyl ester, selective catalytic reduction, Carbon monoxides

Cite: A P Sathiyagnanam, K Vijayaraj, and C G Saravanan, "Biodiesel Production from Waste Pork Lard and an Experimental Investigation of its Use as an Alternate Fuel in a DI Diesel Engine," International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Research, Vol.1, No.3, pp. 176-191, October 2012.