Performance and Exhaust Emissions of an Indirect-Injection (IDI) Diesel Engine When Using Waste Cooking Oil as Fuel

A study was carried out on the influence of waste cooking oil (WCO) and its blends with D2 fuel on the performance, exhaust emissions, combustion and fuel injection processes of an indirect injected diesel engine. Tests were carried out using different fuels, under the same conditions. Exhaust emissions and engine performance were measured and compared. Combustion chamber pressure was also acquired, and the rate of heat-release curves were computed by means of a zero-dimensional one-zone combustion model. Some macro-parameters of the combustion process were obtained from the heat-release-rate curves. The injection system was separated from the engine and tested on a special test bench. The injected fuel quantity was measured, and the injection pressure and injector needle lift time history were acquired. The injection-rate curves were then computed, and some macro-parameters of the injection process were obtained and analyzed.