The Effect Of Biodiesel Blends On A Multi-Cylinder Engine And The Impact On Aftertreatment

THE EFFECT OF BIODIESEL BLENDS ON A MULTI-CYLINDER ENGINE AND THIMPACT ON AFTERTREATMENTByAMY PETERSON August 2013Advisor: Dr. Ming-Chia Lai Major: Mechanical Engineering Degree: Doctor of Philosophy Recently, topics including global warming, increased environmental awareness,recycling, and organically produced meat and vegetables have been prevalent in themedia and research arenas. The rapidly increasing cost for fossil fuels and the pursuitof environmental conservation has brought about the interest in a renewable and cleanburning fuel, specifically biodiesel. Biodiesel, or vegetable oil ester as it was originallyreferred to, has been improving and progressing since the early 1900’s. Fortunately,significant advancement in the understanding of raw vegetable oil as a fuel as well asconverting it to ethyl or methyl esters, now known as biodiesel, has been evolving fornearly a century after.The objective of this study is predicated on the potential marketing of biodieselblends, up to 20% by volume, without modification to standard production availableengines to be used by the average consumer. The NextEnergy Biodiesel program is a