Evaluation as fuel diesel engine of methyl esters derived from waste animal fats

The purpose of this study is to convert waste animal fats, which are harmful to the environment and human health, into biodiesel fuel and to investigate the using of biodiesel as fuel in diesel engines. For this reason, fish fat methyl ester (FFME) and chicken fat methyl ester (CFME) have been produced by transesterification method from fish fat and chicken fat. After that, methyl esters have been used as fuel in a single-cylinder, four stroke, direct injection and air-cooled diesel engine; and the effects of fuels on engine performance and exhaust emissions have been comparatively investigated with standard diesel fuel (D2). Engine tests show that the performance parameters of biodiesel fuels do not differ greatly from those of the diesel fuel. Slight power losses, combined with an increase in the fuel consumption, are experienced with the animal fat based biodiesel fuels. On the other hand, exhaust emissions (HC and CO) of FFME and CFME fuels were lower than those of diesel fuel. Taken into account of good fuel combustion characteristics and positive effects on the environment, it can be concluded that FFME and CFME fuels can be used as an alternative to diesel fuel.