Evaluation of Diesel Engine Performance Efficiency with Biodiesel Fuel Derived from Linseed

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Energy is a fundamental driver of economic development worldwide. Currently, approximately 80–90% of global energy is supplied by fossil fuels, which face increasing challenges including resource depletion and environmental degradation. In response, research efforts have shifted toward developing renewable alternatives such as biodiesel. This study examines the impact of biodiesel produced from linseed oil on the performance of tractor engines, addressing the urgent need for sustainable fuel solutions in agricultural machinery that maintain operational efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
Materials and Methods
Linseed oil was extracted from local varieties in Khalkhal County using n-hexane as a solvent in a Soxhlet apparatus, yielding 33% oil. The oil was then converted to biodiesel via a transesterification reaction, and its physicochemical properties were analyzed according to the ASTM D-6751 standard. Engine performance was evaluated on a TYM tractor engine across seven speed levels (380 to 620 rpm) using four fuel blends (0%, 5%, 10%, and 25% biodiesel). A Sigma 5 dynamometer was employed to measure torque and power output, while the specific fuel consumption (SFC) was calculated from the fuel consumption rate and the measured power.
Results and Discussion
The results indicated a statistically significant relationship between engine speed and torque output (P < 0.0001). Maximum torque (563.67 Nm) was recorded at 380 rpm, while minimum torque (165.17 Nm) occurred at 620 rpm. The use of biodiesel blends led to a slight reduction in torque, decreasing from 472.9 Nm with pure diesel to 466.72 Nm with the B25 blend—a trend attributable to the lower calorific value of biodiesel. Peak power output (29.24 kW) was observed at 580 rpm. Biodiesel blends caused a minor but consistent decrease in power across all tested speeds. Specific fuel consumption (SFC) increased with rising engine speed; however, biodiesel blends significantly improved fuel efficiency, likely due to enhanced combustion efficiency and higher oxygen content.
ANOVA results showed no significant interaction between engine speed and fuel type for torque and power (P = 0.9996), but a significant interaction was observed for SFC (P = 0.031).

Conclusion
The produced linseed biodiesel complied with the ASTM D6751 standard, confirming its viability as an alternative fuel for diesel engines. Although slight reductions in torque and power output were observed—attributable to biodiesel's lower energy content—the fuel demonstrated improved consumption characteristics. This study suggests that linseed biodiesel can be effectively utilized in tractor engines, provided optimal blend ratios and operating conditions are carefully selected. Future research should focus on optimizing blend formulations and investigating emission profiles to further validate the practical application of linseed biodiesel in agricultural machinery.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. Abbaszaadeh, A., Ghobadian, B., Omidkhah, M. R., & Najafi, G. (2012). Current biodiesel production technologies: A comparative review. Energy Conversion and Management, 63, 138–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2012.02.027

    Ayazi, M., Rasul, M. G., Khan, M. M. K., & Hassan, N. M. S. (2023). Experimental investigation of fuel consumption and emissions of diesel engine fueled with ternary fuel blends of diesel, biodiesel and bioethanol. Energy Reports, 9, 470–475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2023.12.001

    Budhraja, N. (2022, August 22). Parameter Optimization for Enhanced Biodiesel Yield from Linum usitatissimum Oil Through Solar Energy Assistance. Biomass Convers Biorefin 1-16 [online]. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1977661/v1

    Emaish, H., Abualnaja, K. M., Kandil, E. E., & Abdelsalam, N. R. (2021). Evaluation of the performance and gas emissions of a tractor diesel engine using blended fuel diesel and biodiesel to determine the best loading stages. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 9811. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89287-0

    Heidary, B., Hassan-Beygi, S. R., Ghobadian, B., & Taghizadeh, A. (2013). Vibration analysis of a small diesel engine using diesel-biodiesel fuel blends. Agricultural Engineering International: CIGR Journal, 15(3), 117–126.

    Hosseini, S. H., Taghizadeh-Alisaraei, A., Ghobadian, B., & Abbaszadeh-Mayvan, A. (2017a). Effect of added alumina as nano-catalyst to diesel-biodiesel blends on performance and emission characteristics of CI engine. Energy, 124, 543–552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2017.02.109

    Hosseini, S. H., Taghizadeh-Alisaraei, A., Ghobadian, B., & Abbaszadeh-Mayvan, A. (2017b). Performance and emission characteristics of a CI engine fuelled with carbon nanotubes and diesel-biodiesel blends. Renewable Energy, 111, 201–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2017.04.013

    1. Xue, T. E. Grift and A. C. Hansen. (2011). Effect of Biodiesel on Engine Performances and Emissions. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15, pp. 1098-1116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.11.016.

    Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha, H., Rafiee, S., Mohammadi, P., Ghobadian, B., Lam, S. S., Tabatabaei, M., & Aghbashlo, M. (2021). Exergetic, economic, and environmental life cycle assessment analyses of a heavy-duty tractor diesel engine fueled with diesel–biodiesel-bioethanol blends. Energy Conversion and Management, 241, 114300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2021.114300

    Idris, M., Husin, I., Hermawan, I., Novalia, U., D. Batubara, R., Agung Pambudi, N., & Sarifudin, A. (2023). Engine Performance Using Blended Fuels of Biodiesel and Eco Diesel. Energy Engineering, 120(1), 107–123. https://doi.org/10.32604/ee.2023.019203

    Khoobbakht, G., Karimi, M., & Kheiralipour, K. (2019). Effects of biodiesel-ethanol-diesel blends on the performance indicators of a diesel engine: A study by response surface modeling. Applied Thermal Engineering, 148, 1385–1394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2018.08.025

    Siavash, N. K., Najafi, G., Hassan-Beygi, S. R., Ahmadian, H., Ghobadian, B., Yusaf, T., & Mazlan, M. (2021). Time–Frequency Analysis of Diesel Engine Noise Using Biodiesel Fuel Blends. Sustainability, 13(6), 3489. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063489

    Singh, A., Choudhary, A. K., Sinha, S., Panchal, H., & Sadasivuni, K. K. (2023). Analysis of vibrations in a diesel engine produced by Jatropha biodiesel using heterogeneous catalyst. Energy & Environment, 34(2), 407–428. https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305X211063935

    Temizer, İ., & Eskici, B. (2020). Investigation on the combustion characteristics and lubrication of biodiesel and diesel fuel used in a diesel engine. Fuel, 278, 118363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118363

    Warkhade, G. S., & Babu, A. V. (2019). Combustion characteristics of linseed (Linum usitatissimum) methyl ester fuelled biodiesel blends in variable compression ratio diesel engine. Australian Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 17(1), 38–51. https://doi.org/10.1080/14484846.2018.1525170

     Clark, S. L., Wagner, L. and Schrock, M.D. (1997). Methyl and ethyl soybean as renewable fuels for diesel engine.JAOCS, 10: 632-637.

    Z. Utlu and M. S. Kocak. (2008) The Effect of Biodiesel Fuel Obtained from Waste Frying Oil on Direct Injection Diesel Engine Performance and Exhaust Emissions. Renew. Energ., 33, pp. 1936-1941. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2007.10.006

     

Journal of Agricultural Mechanization
Volume 10, Issue 4
December 2026
Pages 71-85

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 08 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 16 March 2026
  • Accept Date: 18 March 2026

Share

How to cite

Statistics