A research paper studying the effects of Palm Oil and Jatropha based Biodiesel on Diesel Engines was released (with Petrol Diesel used as a baseline) by a research group from Institut Teknologi Bandung in Indonesia. I had no direct access to the report but am basing my findings on the summary posted by Green Car Congress. The test used 10/90 Biodiesel/Diesel mixture for Jatropha and Palm Oil (B10) as well as full 100% Biodiesel (B100) and normal fossil fuel based Diesel (PetroDiesel).
From the results it was determined that Palm Oil and Jatropha are more viscous when compared to Petrodiesel. Although Jatropha was only slightly higher than petrodiesel in viscocity. Palm Oil and Jatropha Biodiesel was also determined to have twice the flash point temperature of Petro Diesel. The Data also shows that Jatropha has a higher energy released vs Palm Oil during combustion, but slightly less energy than petro diesel as noted by the calorific value. As per Cetane Number, Jatropha and Palm Oil has a higher value compared to Diesel, which will mean that it will ignite earlier once it is injected in the chamber.
I’m a bit worried though with the Acidic value of Jatropha vs Palm Oil. Looking at the results you can see that Jatropha is more acidic compared to Palm Oil which might not be so good for diesel vehicles fuel system and engine in the long run. When you look at the glycerol content of the Jatropha they were testing, it too had a higher content compared to Palm Oil. Could this be the effect of just bad washing on the part of Jatropha Biodiesel preparation?, wherein molecular glycerin was not properly removed from the biodiesel? I hope that that is the case.
The article also showed that B10 (10% mixture of Jatropha) garnered the better mileage from the other blends by having the least amount of fuel consumed. B100 Palm Oil compared to the other blends released more CO gases. The effect on the engine was that both biofuels had deposits which were easier to clean from the Piston and Cylinder heads, with B100 Jatropha having the least amount of deposits left on the Cylinder head.
Original Article from Green Car Congress here
Category: Biodiesel, Jatropha
