Biodiesel production, characterization, engine performance, and emission characteristics of Malaysian Alexandrian laurel oil

Abstract

Biodiesel is a green fuel produced from renewable resources. It is a clean-burning alternative fuel, which has drawn the attention of energy researchers for the last two decades. This paper presents an experimental investigation on Alexandrian laurel oil as a potential feedstock for biodiesel development. Biodiesel was produced using a two-step esterification–transesterification process. Analysis of the physicochemical properties of diesel–biodiesel blends precedes the performance and emission study using 10% and 20% blends (ALB10 and ALB20). A 55 kW, 2.5 L, four-cylinder indirect injection diesel engine was used to carry out tests under conditions of constant load and varying speed. Brake power decreased 0.36–0.76%, and brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) increased 2.42–3.20% for these blends. In general, the exhaust emission profile was much better compared to diesel except for NOx emission, which increased by 2.12–8.32% compared to diesel. Thus, from overall performance and emission characteristics, both the blends are prospective fuels for diesel engines.