Performance Evaluation and Components Behavior of Light Duty Diesel Engine after 300 Hours Test Fuelled with Pure Biodiesel: Effects on Reliability and Durability 2012-01-0865

Pure biodiesel is non-toxic, biodegradable and greenhouse gas neutral alternative fuel with potential successful future but reduced quantitative information is available about the impact of biodiesel on engine durability and long period usage effects. In this study, a commercial light duty Diesel engine installed on an engine test bench has been operated fuelled with pure biodiesel (B100 referred to the EN-14214 standard) during a period test of 300 hours in order to analyze engine performance and components behavior.

A engine characterization has been completed using conventional diesel fuel (EN 590). Then, following a specific defined operation cycle and fuelled with pure biodiesel, a study over different engine components such as: engine oil, fuel filters, Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), so on, has been done in order to obtain possible negative effects and modifications required over maintenance policies applied to them. Furthermore, in order to increase the severity of the test performed, problems related with excessive blowby have been provoked.

Finally, engine and fuel system components were disassembled, inspected, and evaluated to compare main characteristics after long time test.