CHARACTERISTICS OF BIODIESEL AS A FUEL FOR DIESEL ENGINES

Abstract

In order for an alternative liquid fuel to be applied to diesel engine operation, it must have certain advantages or must not have major disadvantages compared to conventional diesel fuel. Based on numerous research and practical experiences, it can be said that the use of biodiesel and mixtures of biodiesel with diesel fuel, in this sense, gives the best results. The main advantages of using biodiesel in comparison to fossil diesel fuel can be seen from a strategic, economic and environmental aspects. Producing biodiesel from different raw materials and different technological biodiesel production processes can result in different individual physical and chemical characteristics of fuel. For biodiesel usage as a fuel in diesel engines, it is necessary that the processes taking place in fuel delivery systems, injection processes, mixture formation and combustion of biodiesel, as well as emission characteristics, are fully studied and clear. But above all, it is very important that the characteristics of biodiesel (and mixtures) comply with the appropriate standards. Also, the influence of characteristics that are not prescribed by the standards (sound speed, Bulk modulus, surface tension, etc.) but are very important from the aspect of influence on injection processes, mixture formation, combustion and exhaust gas emissions, must be investigated in detail. The paper provides an analysis of certain characteristics of biodiesel and their possible influences on the biodiesel quality and diesel engines operation when biodiesel is used as fuel.