Preparation, Study of Performance and Emission Characteristics of Diesel Engine Fuelled with Waste Cooking Oil Biodiesel

Biodiesel production and application are gaining popularity in recent times due to diminishing petroleum reserves and detrimental environmental impacts. There are many available edible oils (Palm oil, coconut oil etc. ) and non-edible oils (Jatropha oil, Cotton seed oil etc. ) but the use of alternative feedstock as waste cooking oils for biodiesel production is cheaper than vegetable oils. Waste cooking oil has high viscosity, so it cannot be used directly on Diesel engines. In this study Waste cooking oil is transesterified using Potassium hydroxide and Sodium hydroxide as catalysts. Experimental tests have been carried out to evaluate the performance and emission characteristics of a single cylinder Diesel engine using different biodiesel blends and standard diesel. A minor decrease in thermal efficiency and a considerable improvement in reduction of smoke, carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons are observed compared to diesel. The use of transesterified waste cooking oil and its blends as fuel for diesel engines will reduce dependence on fossil fuels and also decrease considerably the environmental pollution.