EVALUATION OF A STATIONARY DIESEL ENGINE RUNNING ON MIXTURE OF USED SOYBEAN AND DIESEL OIL

Abstract

Part of the Brazilian population especially, in the rural areas, has little or no access to electricity. Thus use of renewable energy for on site production of electricity is an appropriate alternative. The objective of this study was to analyze the use of low-cost used soybean oil (SO) to run stationary engines, because otherwise it goes waste and causes pollution. The study was done in the Laboratory of Agricultural Mechanization of the Department of Agricultural Engineering, at of the Federal University of Viçosa. The water cooled stationary diesel engine, Yanmar NSB 75, with direct injection, normal rated power of 5.8 kW, at 2400 rpm, was used in the study. The SO was mixed with diesel oil (DO) in proportions of 0-100%, 25-75%, 50-50%, 75-25% and 100-0%, respectively. The power and torque of the engine was higher with the use of 75% DO and 25% SO and low for 25% DO and 75% SO. The hourly consumption was less with 25% DO and 75% SO mixture, but 15% lower than for DO. The combined values suggest the possible use of DO and SO mixture, however technical aspects, especially engine wear and tear after a long operational period should be evaluated.