A Comparative Evaluation of Selected Biodiesel Performance and Specific Emission in Relation to Emission Standard

Abstract

Biodiesel holds significant promises in addressing the current challenge of alternative energy sources. Pure biodiesel prepared from Jatropha, Moringa and waste restaurant oil was evaluated along with normal diesel in a single-cylinder diesel engine. The performance and emissions were subsequently analyzed in comparison to the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States and the European Commission Standard. The difference in performance and emissions were marginal and mixed. Oxides of Nitrogen production strongly correlated with excess air and temperature as predicted by the Zeldovich mechanism. The various emissions showed some compliance with set limits and highlighted areas of challenges within the test cycle. The undesirable emission trend suggests a largely kinetically driven process, creating scope for novel engine design as a common remediation strategy regardless of the differences in fuel chemistry.