Heat Release Rates of Straight Soybean and Diesel Oil Blends in a Compression Ignition Engine

Straight soybean and diesel oil blends are proposed as alternatives for electricity generation in isolated regions. The compression ignition engine is considered the prime mover and has the attractive potential to distribute electricity generation for supply in isolated regions, as well as for small applications demanded by the agro-industrial sector. The heat release rate evaluation of straight soybean blends is the main focus of this paper. A single-cylinder compression ignition engine with a nominal power of 14.7 kW/2200 rpm fueled with blends of 50% and 80% <i>v</i>/<i>v</i> straight soybean oil with commercial diesel oil was tested on a dynamometer bench. The heat release rate and ignition delay were determined from in-cylinder pressure measurements using zero-dimensional modeling. The experimental results showed a promising performance and coherent behavior with the physicochemical fuel properties and load conditions tested. The highest fraction of vegetable oil led to a combustion delay, characterized by high diffusive and residual combustion phases, although the fuel oxygen content favored the combustion. Finally, this work allowed observation of the development of the heat release rate of straight soybean blends in a diesel engine, understanding the influence of the fuel properties and in-cylinder gas properties on the combustion process.