Combustion performance and emission characteristics study of pine oil in a diesel engine

A new type of biofuel, pine oil, is introduced in this work for the purpose of fueling diesel engine. The viscosity, boiling point and flash point of the reported oil are lower, when compared to that of diesel. Also, the calorific value of pine oil biofuel is comparable to diesel. As a result, it can be directly used in diesel engine without trans-esterifying it. Pine oil biofuel and their blends of 25%, 50%, and 75% with diesel were tested in a single cylinder, four-stroke, direct injection diesel engine and the combustion, emissions and performance results were compared with diesel. The results show that at full load condition, 100% pine oil reduces CO (carbon monoxide), HC (hydrocarbon) and smoke emissions by 65%, 30% and 70%, respectively. The brake thermal efficiency and maximum heat release rate increase by 5% and 27%, respectively. However, the NOx (oxides of nitrogen) emission is higher than that of diesel fuel at full load condition. The experimental work reveals that 100% pine oil can be directly used in diesel engine and potential benefits of pine oil biofuel have been reaped. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.