Evaluation of Emission Characteristics of Biodiesel from Oils of Sandbox Seed and Moringa as Feedstock

Abstract

Biodiesel is a non–toxic, ecofriendly, biodegradable and renewable
alternative fuel that can be used with little or no engine modifications.
The objective of this paper is to investigate the emission characteristics
of sandbox and moringa biodiesel and their blends on an internal
combustion (IC) engine. The experimental work was carried out on a
diesel engine by using biodiesel made from sandbox, moringa and its
blends, comparing them to conventional diesel fuel. The fuels used in the
analyses are of the following composition BSM20 DF 80 , BSM25 DF 75 ,
BSM30 DF 70 , BSM35 DF 65 , BSM40 DF 60 , BS20 DF 80 , BS25 DF 75 , BS30
DF 70 , BS35 DF 65 , BS40 DF 60 , BM20 DF 80 , BM25 DF 75 , BM30 DF 70 ,
BM35 DF 65 , BM40 DF 60 and diesel fuel (DF). The engine was operated
over a range of engine speeds (1500rpm-2700rpm). Comprehensive
analyses were carried out on major regulated emissions such as NOx,
CO, smoke density, Engine noise level and HC. The results evidently
indicate that the engine running with biodiesel and blends have higher
NOx emission. However, the emissions of engine running on biodiesel
and blends showed reduction in CO, smoke density, Engine noise level
and HC respectively as compared to diesel fuel at various operating
conditions. On the whole, methyl esters of sandbox, moringa and its
blends with diesel fuel can be used as an alternative fuel for diesel in
direct injection diesel engines without any significant engine
modification.