Impact of biodiesel on fuel system materials durability

Biodiesel, an alternative diesel fuel, comprising of alkyl monoesters of fatty acids obtained from contemporary feedstock such as vegetable oils, animal fats and waste cooking oils, has been the focus of a considerable amount of recent research. This interest is based on a number of benefits including the fact that it is renewable, biodegradable, non-toxic and has the potential to reduce certain exhaust emission. It is essential, while experimenting with abiodiesel, to strike a balance between the several conflicting parameters that might exist. This may include not only the performance and emission characteristics of the engine, but also the gross life of the engine system. In an automotive fuel system, mainly ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys and elastomers come in contact with the fuel. The degradation behaviour, occurring in relation to fossil fuels, has been sufficiently studied and documented. However, the impact of biodiesel on the degradation behaviour of fuel system materials has been rarely investigated. This paper aims to present a systematic retrospect of a total of 52 papers from the year 1995 to 2012 related to the compatibility of automotive materials with biodiesel, including some results obtained in-house.