Service Trial of Waste Vegetable Oil as a Diesel Fuel Supplement 811215

This paper presents the results of actual in service testing of a diesel fuel supplement, specifically a 20-80% blend of waste vegetable oil and diesel No. 1. Tests are presented illustrating the effects of smoke readings, viscosity, specific gravity, and mileage with the 20-80 blend. Coupled with these results was the actual diesel engine tear down. The bus engine inspection included the head, piston heads, injectors, rings, and intake ports. The results of this in service test indicate that a diesel engine without any modification will run successfully on a blend of 20% waste vegetable oil and 80% diesel fuel without damage to the engine parts. Additionally only a diesel No. 1 blend was found to be satisfactory in cold weather unless measures are taken to prevent filter plugging. Finally, the results of this study indicate that the use of waste soybean oil as a diesel fuel extender is a viable short term energy solution based on economics as well as engine performance.