Physico-Chemical Parameters Analysis, Storage Studies and Performance Evaluation of Biodiesel under Cold Desert Condition Mustafa Syed Basharat1,*, Acharya Somen1, Prakash Banu1, Singh Shashi Bala1 1Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh-Ladakh *Email ID: mustafabasharat@rediffmail.com
Abstract The major part of all energy consumed worldwide comes from fossil sources (petroleum, coal and natural gas). However, these sources are limited, and will be exhausted by the near future. Biodiesels are among those alternative fuels, which promise a harmonious correlation with sustainable development, energy conservation, efficiency and environmental preservation. Ladakh is situated at an altitude of 8,500 to 15,000 ft which is one of the most inhospitable terrains of its kind in the world. It remains cutoff from rest of the world during winter months for about six months. Hence diesel fuels have to be stored for a long period of time to avoid shortage of fuel during winter. Keeping in view the aim of the study was to carry out some physico-chemical parameter analysis, effect of storage conditions and performance evaluation of different biodiesel blends with winter diesel under subzero cold desert conditions of Ladakh. Different biodiesel blends were tested according to the ASTM standards. The storage study indicated that biodiesel blends with winter diesel upto B20 does not freeze even at a temperature of -170C and can be used safely. Viscosity study at −50C showed that, kinematic viscosity of different blend were slightly higher than winter diesel. Cloud and pour point of B20 was -9.5 and -130C respectively. With the use of antifreezing agents like DMSO or glycerol biodiesel blends with ATF upto B20 can be safely used even at a temperature of -300C. The study showed the feasibility of biodiesel blends usage (upto B20) in different vehicles upto a temperature of -170C in cold desert conditions of Ladakh. Top Keywords Physico-chemical properties, Antifreezing characteristics, Biodiesel, Jatropha curcas, Ladakh. Top |
Introduction The major part of all energy consumed worldwide comes from fossil sources (petroleum, coal and natural gas). However, these sources are limited, and will be exhausted by the near future [1]. The world is presently confronted with the twin crises of fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation. Indiscriminate extraction and lavish consumption of fossil fuels have led to reduction in underground-based carbon resources. Since the oil crisis of the 1970s and recognition of the limitations of world oil resources, vegetable oils have received special attention [2]. The search for alternative fuels, which promise a harmonious correlation with sustainable development, energy conservation, efficiency and environmental preservation, has become highly pronounced in the present context. Biodiesel is among those alternatives and it is defined as an alternative fuel for diesel engines produced by chemically reacting a vegetable oil or animal fat with an alcohol such as methanol or mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from a renewable lipid feed stock, such as vegetable oil or animal fat [3], [4], [5]. Usage of biodiesel will allow a balance to be sought between agriculture, economic development and the environment [6]. The fuels of bio-origin can provide a feasible solution to this worldwide petroleum crisis. Gasoline and diesel-driven automobiles are the major sources of various undesirable emissions. Various biofuel energy resources explored include biomass, biogas, primary alcohols, vegetable oils, biodiesel, etc. These alternative energy resources are largely environment-friendly. Several types of vegetable oils, with a varied composition in fatty acids, can be used for the preparation of biodiesel as they are widely available from a variety of sources and they are renewable [7, 8]. There are a number of non-edible tree based oil seeds available [9, 10] in many countries around the world. However, in India, biodiesel is mainly produced from Jatropha curcas as a fuel substitute. Using this non-edible oil for making biodiesel has a great opportunity of making it economically feasible [11]. Generally a Blend of 5%to 20% is used in India (B5to B20). The use of biodiesel form Jatropha curcas at the village level for operating oil engines used for pumping water, running small machinery and generating electricity is another possibility. |
Ladakh is the northern most part of India having an area of 92,000 sq.km, lying approximately between 33°and 35° latitudes North and 76° to 79° longitude East, at an altitude of 8,500 to 15,000 ft. This trans-Himalayan land is an icy barren landscape and the world's highest inhabitant plateau. Glistering white snow capped peaks and glaciers dominate in this most inhospitable terrain of its kind in the world. Ladakh remains cutoff from rest of the world during winter months for about six months & hence diesel fuels have to be stored for a long period of time to avoid shortage of fuel during winter. In this region mercury drops to 25 to 30°C below the freezing point during winter. Due to very low temperature, the usage of petroleum diesel in the vehicles leads to many practical problems. Keeping in view, Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) an establishment of DRDO located at Leh-Ladakh has carried out the present storage study of biodiesel, its physico-chemical analysis and performance evaluation under subzero cold desert conditions of Ladakh. |
Top Material and Methods Different types of diesel are used in different defined temperature zones in Ladakh region (Table 1). For the present study, DHPP and ATF were procured from Army Fuel Depot., 14 corps (L-sector) and biodiesel (of Jatropha curcas) was procured from Chattishgarh Biofuel development Authority (CBDA), Raipur, Govt. of Chattishgarh, India. |
Storage Study Storage studies on Bio Diesel and its blends (Β1 to B20) with winter diesel (80% ATF + 20% DHPP) have been carried out in open environmental conditions in Ladakh in winter months under subzero temperature upto -200C. B100 served as control treatment. Physico Chemical Parameter Analysis Physico-chemical analysis of the Bio-Diesel blends (Β1 to B100) with Winter Diesel was carried out for the following characteristics: Cloud Point, Pour Point and Kinematic Viscosity at −50C. The cloud point is the temperature at which a cloud of wax crystals first appears in a liquid upon cooling. It is particularly important for the low temperature operability of diesel fuel. The pour point is the lowest temperature at which a fuel sample will flow. Therefore, the pour point provides an index of the lowest temperature of the fuel's utility for certain applications. The kinematic viscosity is the resistance to flow of a fluid under gravity. Using standard procedures (ASTM methods) kinematic viscosity, cloud point and pour point and were determined. Antifreezing Study Two types of antifreezing agents viz. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and glycerol were used in different molar concentrations (10, 20 and 30 moles) in one liter of ATF and biodiesel blends to evaluate antifreezing characteristics of biodiesel blends in subzero temperature conditions. Performance Evaluation Four types of vehicles (Tractors, TATA Sumo and TATA Fourton) were run with Bio Diesel blends with winter diesel starting from 1% upto 20% Biodiesel i,e Β1 to B20 under subzero temperature to determine knocking and chocking features in the above mentioned vehicles. Top Results and Discussion Storage Study The storage study was carried out under subzero conditions upto -200C for 24 hours. During the storage study it was observed that treatments of biodiesel blends (Β1 to B20) with winter diesel does not freeze upto -170C but beyond that temperature all the treatments got frozen under open environmental conditions. Kinematic Viscocity Physico-chemical analysis was carried out for the following parameters; cloud point, pour point and kinematic viscosity. The viscosity of a fuel is important because it affects the atomization of the fuel being injected into the engine combustion chamber. A small fuel drop is desired for complete combustion to occur. Biodiesel has a viscosity much closer to diesel fuel than vegetable oil. The kinematic viscosities of biodiesel and its blends (B10 to B100) with winter diesel at −50C were studied and the viscosity data presented in Figure 1 show that a slight increase in viscosity was observed after the addition of biodiesel blends from B to B100 and were ranging from 2.85 to 4.4 cSt. The specification of Kinematic viscosity is in this range of 1.9 - 6.0 CST in the ASTM D6751 biodiesel standard [12]. The kinematic viscosities of the biodiesel blends in this study are in the range of both the ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 biodiesel standards, although the kinematic viscosities of these blends are slightly higher than that of the petrodiesel. Cloud Point Cloud point is an indication of the lowest temperature at which diesel fuel can be used before wax crystals will block fuel filters. In the experiment, results showed that the cloud point of winter diesel was -120C, while blending of biodiesel with winter diesel (B10 to B100) resulted in gradual increase in cloud point of the blend and neat biodiesel (B100) having cloud point of+10C as shown in Figure 2. So it can be said that biodiesel had a higher cloud point than winter diesel. Results from the other studies confirm that the cloud point of neat biodiesel can be from -10°C to +20°C depending on the raw material source. When blended with petrodiesel at 20 percent (B20), the cloud point can be 3 to 5°C higher than petrodiesel. This introduces a higher degree of risk of fuel filter blockages with waxy components than with petrodiesel in winter. Pour Point Pour point is a measure of the low temperature performance of diesel/biodiesel fuels. The experiment of different biodiesel blends with winter diesel (B10 to B100) showed that pour point of pure winter diesel was the lowest (−160C) and blending with biodiesel (B10 to B100) resulted in gradual increase in pour point and neat biodiesel showed highest pour point i.e. 00C in Figure 3. Other studies also showed the similar type of results and reported that a blend of biodiesel/diesel fuel has a lower pour point than 100% biodiesel (B100), but gelling may still occur. Antifreezing Charecteristics of Biodiesel Antifreezing characteristics of biodiesel blends with ATF were analyzed using two types of antifreezing agents viz. dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and glycerol having different concentrations (10, 20 and 30 moles per liter) between -20 to -300C for 48 hours and the results are shown in Table 2. The control treatment i.e. 100% ATF does not freeze for all the concentrations of antifreezing agents and the similar results found for biodiesel blends upto 20% i.e. B20 but for higher percentage of biodiesel upto B100 showed freezing of different blends in the temperature range of -20 to -300C. So, from the above results it can be concluded that biodiesel blends upto 20% with ATF can be safely used even at −300C using either DMSO or glycerol as antifreezing agent. Performance Evaluation Performance evaluation study of different blends of biodiesel with winter (B1 to B20) diesel was carried out in four types of vehicles (tractors, TATA Sumo and TATA Fourton) under subzero temperature upto -170C. Knocking and chocking of the engine were not observed during performance test. Carbon deposits on Cylinder, piston top & injector tips of Bio diesel operated engines is far less than diesel fuelled engines. Biodiesel fuelled engines produced lower amount of wear debris. The feed pump, atomizer & spray nozzles are functioning smoothly and no obstruction or blockade have been observed in the fuel flow. Several studies show biodiesel can run in a conventional diesel engine for an extended time. In cold weather, biodiesel begins to cloud and thicken at about 300F. Top Conclusions From the above study, overall it can be concluded that biodiesel blends (upto B20) with winter diesel can be stored upto -170C under open environmental condition of Ladakh. Cloud & Pour Point vary (increases) with the amount of bio diesel blended with petroleum diesel fuel (Winter Diesel) but it is within the safe limits as there is no much appreciable risk of fuel filter blockages. Viscosity increases as the concentration of Bio Diesel increases but the viscosity is closer to that of petrodiesel (winter diesel). By introducing antifreezing agents into biodiesel blend freezing characteristics are greatly improved. The study proves the feasibility of biodiesel blends usage (upto B20) in vehicles upto a temperature of-170C in cold desert conditions of Ladakh. |
Top Figures | Figure 1.: Change in viscosity at 5°C with increasing percentage of biodiesel in winter diesel
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| | Figure 2.: Change in cloud point with increasing percentage of biodiesel in winter diesel
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| | Figure 3.: Change in pour point with increasing percentage of biodiesel in winter diesel
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Tables | Table 1.: Diesel used in Ladakh region
| | Temperature range | Type of fuel | | Above 00C | 100% DHPP (Diesel High Pour Point) | | 00 Cto – 180C | 80% ATF (Aircraft Turbine Fuel), non aviation, High Grade Kerosene | | + 20% DHPP (Diesel High Pour Point) | | -180C to -600C | 98% ATF (Aircraft Turbine Fuel) + 2% OM (oil mineral) |
| | | Table 2.: Effects of Anti-freezing Agents (DMSO and Glycerol) on Freezing Characteristics of Biodiesel and its Blends in the temperature range of -20 to -300C for 48 hours Under Open Environmental Conditions
| | Concentration of Antifreezing agents (DMSO and Glycerol) | Control (ATF) | ATF + Biodiesel (95%+ 5%) B5 | ATF + Biodiesel (90%+10%) B10 | ATF + Biodiesel (90%+10%) B15 | ATF + Biodiesel (80%+20%) B20 | Biodiesel (100%) B100 | | 10 moles/lit | Does not freeze | Does not freeze | Does not freeze | Does not freeze | Does not freeze | Freezes | | 20 moles/lit | Does not freeze | Does not freeze | Does not freeze | Does not freeze | Does not freeze | Freezes | | 30 moles/lit | Does not freeze | Does not freeze | Does not freeze | Does not freeze | Does not freeze | Freezes |
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