Effect of Diethyl Ether Addition to Palm Stearin Biodiesel Blends on Nox Emissions from a Diesel Engine

Biodiesel is a renewable substitute for mineral diesel and has several advantages those include reduced toxic emissions, biodegradability and good lubricating property. Despite these advantages, many researchers have shown that biodiesel emits higher NOx (Nitrogen oxides) emissions than the conventional diesel. Choice of biodiesel, blends in optimum percentage and reduction of the duration of premixed combustion by shortening the ignition delay period are some of the effective methods to reduce the NOx emissions. An attempt has been made to reduce the toxic emissions using the biodiesel palm stearin and Cetane improver additive DEE (Diethyl Ether). The DEE is added to the palm stearin biodiesel blends B10, B20 and B30 at 0.001%, 0.003%, 0.005% by volume in each case and tested for emissions in a 4 stroke single cylinder diesel engine at different loads and compared with the emissions of sole blends and sole mineral diesel. Results showed that significant reduction in NOx emissions can be achieved with the blends of Palm stearin together with DEE additive and also CO and HC emissions could be achieved with appropriate mixing of blends and additives.