The Effect of Timing and Oxidation on Emissions from Biodiesel-Fueled Engines

摘要

The alkyl monoesters of fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, known as biodiesel, are attracting considerable interest as an alternative fuel for diesel engines. Biodiesel-fueled engines produce less carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and particulate emissions than diesel-fueled engines. However, biodiesel has different chemical and physical properties than diesel fuel, including a larger bulk modulus and a higher cetane number. Some of these properties can be affected by oxidation of the fuel during storage. These changes can affect the timing of the combustion process and potentially cause increases in emissions of oxides of nitrogen