Determination of the Effects of Some Additives Added to the Mixture of Diesel and Safflower Biodiesel on Exhaust Emissions

In this study, linas, a newly developed variety of safflower plant, were used for biodiesel production. Fuel properties and exhaust emission values of biodiesel fuel (B100) and alternative blended fuels containing different volumetric amounts of diesel (M100), biodiesel (B100) and n-butanol (BU) or n-pentanol (P) (diesel/biodiesel/n-butanol and diesel/biodiesel/n-pentanol) were evaluated in comparison with the reference fuel diesel (M100). In addition, in the study, the effects of 2-ethylhexyl nitrate (EHN) on fuel properties and emission values have been examined by adding EHN cetane improver additive to mixture fuels at a concentration of 2000 ppm. Exhaust emission tests of all fuels and mixtures were carried out in a four-cylinder, four-stroke, and direct injection diesel engine at different speeds and full load conditions. According to the results of the research, the fuel properties of diesel, biodiesel, and blended fuels have been determined that comply with biodiesel and diesel fuel standards. Density values of these fuels were determined between 0.830 to 0.8885 kg m-3, kinematic viscosities 2.83 and 4.57 mm2s-1, calorific values 40.13 and 43.4 MJ kg-1, water content 48.015 and 499 ppm, cetane numbers 48.8 and 55.8, cloud point, cold filter plugging point, and pour point -13.9 and -1.4 ºC, -22 and -10 ºC, -15 and <-20 ºC, respectively. While CO, CO2, and NOx emissions of blended fuels show lower values compared to diesel fuel, it has been determined that there are certain rates of increases in HC and O2 emissions. It was determined that the high NOx emissions of biodiesel decreased with the addition of high alcohols to the blend fuels. In general, it has been determined that the fuel properties and emission results of blends containing pentanol show better results than fuels containing butanol. The 2-Ethylhexyl Nitrate additive used in the blend was effective in improving the emissions.