Thermal characterization and kinetics of oil palm biodiesel blends and its effect on engine combustion

Abstract

Numerous studies have been done on palm biodiesel on engine performance and emissions. The thermal stability study has received increasing attention and past studies have been trying to relate it with oxidation properties of produced biodiesel. Low thermal stability will cause high viscosity due to oxidation, among the disadvantage of biodiesel storage but it is an advantage in engine combustion. Likewise, the thermal characteristics of palm biodiesel with different blends have not yet been fully explored and are still unclear. The purposes of this study are to investigate the fuel properties of the palm biodiesel blends, the thermal characteristics and the engine performance and emissions in comparison with commercial diesel.