INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF BIODIESEL FROM WASTE COOKING OIL AND ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS ON THE DIESEL ENGINE PERFORMANCE BY RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

Abstract

In this research, the application of response surface methodology (RSM) washighlighted to investigate the effects of biodiesel (from waste cooking oil) in fuel mixture(biodiesel and diesel fuel No.2) and engine operating parameters on performance characteristics(brake power, brake torque and BSFC) of a diesel engine. The experiments were conducted on afour cylinder direct-injection diesel engine based on three-factor five-level central compositerotatable design. The developed mathematical models were helpful to predict the responseparameters, and further, to identify the significant interactions between the input factors on theresponses. Results showed that the use of biodiesel reduces brake power and brake torque up to18% and 17% respectively. On the other hand, BSFC increases 18 to 24% by using net biodiesel.Also, results showed that an increase in engine load appeared to cause an increase in the brakepower and torque up to 68 and 69% respectively. On the other hand, BSFC is higher at low engineload and increases up to 15% by reducing the engine load.