Work

Upgrading Esterified Pyrolysis Bio-Oil through a Two-Step Process and Assessing the Performance and Emissions of Diesel–Biodiesel–Transesterified Pyrolysis Bio-Oil Blends in Diesel Engines

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide This study primarily aimed to investigate the effect of diesel–biodiesel–transesterified pyrolysis bio-oil (TPB) blends on performance and exhaust gas when used in diesel engines at various speeds and loads. The pyrolysis bio-oil (PBO) was obtained from fresh palm fruits using a pyrolysis process and then converted into biodiesel using first-step esterification, followed by second-step transesterification. The response surface methodology was used to investigate the optimal conditions for producing TPB from esterified pyrolysis bio-oil in the second step. The methyl ester (ME) purity of the TPB was optimized by varying three factors: methanol content (13.2–46.8 wt %), KOH loading (1.6–18.4 g/L), and reaction time (26–94 min). The experimental results revealed an ME purity of 74.35 wt % under the recommended conditions of 38.3 wt % methanol, 15.1 g/L KOH, and 62 min reaction time at 60 °C with a 300 rpm stirring speed. This study’s workflows included observing phase behavior and evaluating the gas emissions and performance of the diesel–biodiesel–TPB blends in a diesel engine. The results presented that the 30 wt % diesel, 60 wt % biodiesel, and 10 wt % TPB blend (D30B60TPB10) achieved similar performance to that of the diesel in terms of performance under low-emission conditions. Compared with diesel, the D30B60TPB10 blend's brake-specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency rose by 7.19% and 3.88% at maximum load and engine speed, respectively, while CO 2 and NO x emissions reduced by 8.73% and 31.37%. Furthermore, D30B60TPB10 and D30B60EPB10 blends were compared to assess the possibility of using TPB after upgrading its properties. The test results indicated that the diesel–biodiesel–TPB blends are an attractive potential alternative biofuel for agricultural engines that would benefit rural communities and farmers.

Source: ACS Omega

DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c11064

Authors: Jarernporn Thawornprasert, Sutthichai Khamhuatoey, Krit Somnuk

Institution: Prince of Songkla University

Language: English

Topic: Biodiesel Production and Applications

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,935