Performance and emission characteristics of diesel fuel containing microalgae oil methyl esters

Abstract

This report includes assessments of comparative studies on the physical, chemical, and motor properties of diesel fuels containing 30% (vol.) algae oil methyl esters (AME). The properties of this biofuel were compared with the properties of fossil diesel fuel and those of diesel fuel mixtures containing 30% conventional diesel fuel – standardized rapeseed oil methyl esters (RME). Motor studies were performed on a VALMET 320 DMG diesel generator onboard a ship while using fuel blends consisting of 30% AME (B30AME) or RME (B30RME) and 70% fossil diesel fuel. The B30AME’s environmental and energy indicators were compared with indicators related to the B30RME and fossil diesel fuel (D). The experiments allowed the researchers to establish that the quality of the algae oil methyl esters and their mixing with the fossil diesel fuel complied with standard requirements. After measuring the emission of hazardous components, it was found that the main improvement to environmental indicators was related to a 10–75% reduction in the smokiness of the exhaust gas and a 5–25% reduction of hydrocarbons (HC) emissions compared to those of D. The smokiness of the exhaust gas when the engine was running at capacities close to the maximum was approximately 10% lower for B30RME compared to B30AME.