Performance Analysis of Sunflower Oil Biodiesel as an Alternative Fuel in Diesel Engines
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Keywords:
Biodiesel, Sunflower Oil, Engine Torque, Fuel ConsumptionAbstract
In this study, the effects of biodiesel derived from sunflower oil on diesel engine performance
were experimentally investigated. Biodiesel blends were prepared at ratios of 10% (BIO10), 20% (BIO20),
and 50% (BIO50) with standard diesel fuel and tested in a diesel engine operating within the speed range
of 1500–3000 rpm. Experimental evaluations focused on parameters such as effective power, engine torque,
specific fuel consumption, and effective efficiency. The results indicated that the BIO10 and BIO20 blends
led to noticeable improvements in engine performance parameters, whereas a slight decrease was observed
with the BIO50 blend. The best performance was achieved with the BIO20 blend, which provided an
average increase of approximately 4% in engine power. In contrast, the BIO50 blend resulted in an
approximate 2% reduction in engine power compared to standard diesel. These variations in performance
parameters were attributed to the lower heating value of biodiesel compared to diesel fuel, its higher oxygen
content, higher cetane number, and improved combustion characteristics. Additionally, the higher viscosity
of biodiesel was found to slightly affect spray characteristics and the ignition timing. As a result, it was
concluded that sunflower biodiesel can be safely used in diesel engines without any modifications, and
performance losses remain minimal at low and medium blend ratios. These findings suggest that biodiesel
blends represent a viable alternative for cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.
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