Experimental investigation of performance, emission and combustion characteristics of an indirect injection multi-cylinder CI engine fuelled by blends of de-inking sludge pyrolysis oil with biodiesel

• Published in: Fuel (Guildford) Vol. 105; pp. 135 - 142
• Main Authors: Hossain, A.K., Ouadi, M., Siddiqui, S.U., Yang, Y., Brammer, J., Hornung, A., Kay, M., Davies, P.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biodiesel; Blends; CI engine; Cylinders; De-inking sludge; Diesel; Diesel fuels; Emission; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Engines; Exact sciences and technology; Fossils; Fuels; Polymer blends; Pyrolysis oil; CI engine; BD; GC–MS; CI; Emission; DSPO; DS; IDI; BSEC; BSFC; HHV; Pyrolysis oil; LHV; Performance; De-inking sludge; FD; PO; Nitrogen oxide; Pyrolysis; Diesel fuel; Carbon dioxide; Engine ignition; Biofuel; Combustion; Gas pressure; Surfactant; Experimental study; Physical properties; Spent oil; Additive; Fossil fuel; Exhaust gas; Gas engine; Chemical properties; Thermal efficiency; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0016-2361; 1873-7153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2012.05.007

► Pyrolysis oil was produced from de-inking sludge waste by intermediate pyrolysis. ► The oil was blended with biodiesel and tested in a diesel engine at full load. ► The blends gave similar thermal efficiency to diesel and lower NOx and CO. ► Fuel consumption went up 6%; cylinder pressure increased, burning duration decreased. ► Up to 20% pyro-oil blended with biodiesel can be used in an IDI type diesel engine. De-inking sludge can be converted into useful forms of energy to provide economic and environmental benefits. In this study, pyrolysis oil produced from de-inking sludge through an intermediate pyrolysis technique was blended with biodiesel derived from waste cooking oil, and tested in a multi-cylinder indirect injection type CI engine. The physical and chemical properties of pyrolysis oil and its blends (20 and 30vol.%) were measured and compared with those of fossil diesel and pure biodiesel (B100). Full engine power was achieved with both blends, and very little difference in engine performance and emission results were observed between 20% and 30% blends. At full engine load, the brake specific fuel consumption on a volume basis was around 6% higher for the blends when compared to fossil diesel. The brake thermal efficiencies were about 3–6% lower than biodiesel and were similar to fossil diesel. Exhaust gas emissions of the blends contained 4% higher CO2 and 6–12% lower NOx, as compared to fossil diesel. At full load, CO emissions of the blends were decreased by 5–10 times. The cylinder gas pressure diagram showed stable engine operation with the 20% blend, but indicated minor knocking with 30% blend. Peak cylinder pressure of the 30% blend was about 5–6% higher compared to fossil diesel. At full load, the peak burn rate of combustion from the 30% blend was about 26% and 12% higher than fossil diesel and biodiesel respectively. In comparison to fossil diesel the combustion duration was decreased for both blends; for 30% blend at full load, the duration was almost 12% lower. The study concludes that up to 20% blend of de-inking sludge pyrolysis oil with biodiesel can be used in an indirect injection CI engine without adding any ignition additives or surfactants.