Journal of the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
This research article published by the Journal of the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering, 2016Biodiesel’s chemical nature makes it more susceptible to
oxidation in comparison to mineral diesel. Biodiesels are
doped with antioxidants to increase oxidation stability for
long term storage. However, it is quite possible that these
additives may affect fuel related properties of biodiesel
such as cetane number and kinematic viscosity and also
the performance of engine and exhaust emissions.
Therefore, this study investigated the effects of antioxidant
on the oxidation stability, cetane number and kinetic
viscosity of biodiesel made from jatropha oil of Eastern
Africa origin. Also, the influence on the performance and
exhaust emissions of a four cylinder turbocharged direct
injection (TDI) diesel engine. Antioxidant 1, 2, 3 trihydroxy benzene (Pyrogallol, PY), as the most effective
antioxidant based on the earlier work of the authors was
mixed with the produced Jatropha Oil Methyl Ester
(JOME) at different concentrations to improve the
oxidation stability. The results showed that, the oxidation
stability of JOME increased with the increase of PY
dosage. Also, cetane number slightly increased with
additional of antioxidant whereas kinetic viscosity was
observed to decrease with PY dosage. The brake specific
fuel consumption (BSFC) of JOME with antioxidants
decreased more than that without antioxidants, but both
were higher than that of diesel and diesel/biodiesel blends.
No significant effects were observed on the exhaust
emissions of a diesel engine running on biodiesel (JOME)
dosed with antioxidant PY
