Title: Experimental investigations on diethyl ether as fuel additive in biodiesel engine

Authors: A.S. Ramadhas, S. Jayaraj, C. Muraleedharan

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Calicut 673 601, Kerala, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Calicut 673 601, Kerala, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Calicut 673 601, Kerala, India

Abstract: In this work, biodiesel (methyl esters) is produced from unrefined rubber seed oil by two-step transesterification process. Biodiesel engines are prone to cold-starting problems in winter seasons and emit more nitrogen oxides. To overcome these problems, diethyl ether is used as a fuel additive for biodiesel. The lower percentage addition of diethyl ether with biodiesel improves the engine performance and emission characteristics. The experimental results support that diethyl ether can be used as an additive with biodiesel to improve the performance and emission characteristics.

Keywords: diethyl ether; biodiesel engines; fuel additives; methyl esters; unrefined rubber seed oil; biofuels.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.2008.018013

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 2008 Vol.29 No.3, pp.329 - 336

Published online: 26 Apr 2008 *

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