Temperature dependent physical properties of biodiesel and its blends with diesel fuel

The objective of this study was to determine the temperature dependence of the kinematic viscosity and specific gravity of biodiesel and its blends with Number 1 and Number 2 diesel fuels at 75%, 50%, and 20% percentages of biodiesel. In order to measure the physical properties, ASTM standard test methods were followed. The data collected were modeled using equations suggested by other researchers. An equation is presented that allows the kinematic viscosity to be calculated as a function of the temperature and the biodiesel fraction. The results indicate that biodiesel and its blends demonstrate qualitatively temperature dependent behavior as Number 1 and Number 2 diesel fuels. The temperature dependence of the specific gravity data was compared with the ASTM procedure for the temperature correction of hydrocarbon fuels and the ASTM procedure was found to provide accurate corrections. The cloud and pour points of biodiesel and its blends with Number 1 and Number 2 diesel fuel were also measured. Cloud and pour points of the blends are proportional to biodiesel percentage in the blends. Although biodiesel and its blends have the same temperature dependent behavior, their values differ from diesel fuel by an amount that is large enough to cause fuel injection system anomalies. Further investigation of the temperature and pressure dependent kinematic viscosity and bulk modulus is necessary to fully characterize the fuel injection system anomalies.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

1998

Author dc:creator

• Tat, Mustafa Ertunc

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Van Gerpen, Jon

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://dr.lib.iastate.edu/handle/20.500.12876/GvqXbNEw

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dr.lib.iastate.edu:20.500.12876/GvqXbNEw