Effect of blending crude rice bran oil methyl ester with diesel on properties as CI engine fuel

In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the effect of blending a biodiesel derived from high free fatty acid crude rice bran oil (CRBO) with diesel on the properties as a fuel for compression ignition (CI) engine. Biodiesel [crude rice bran oil methyl ester (CRBME)] blend was prepared by mixing 20% CRBME with 80% diesel on a volume basis. As a result of blending CRBME, the flash point and viscosity of diesel increased by 14 and 3.4% respectively and calorific value decreased by 2%. The distillation curve of the CRBME blend was almost similar as that of diesel and an end point temperature of 337 degrees C was obtained during the distillation of CRBME blend. Blending CRBME with diesel increases the specific gravity marginally and its cetane number increased by 2.3%. From this investigation, it was inferred that the properties of CRBME blend were comparable with that of diesel and it can be utilised as a CI engine fuel. As a renewable fuel its role as a partial substitution of diesel fuel can be vital.