Experimental Analysis of a Turbo-charged Common-rail Diesel Engine Fueled with Biodiesel

Abstract In an effort to evaluate the effect of biodiesel fuel on engine performance and emission, experiments are conducted based on a turbo-charged common-rail diesel engine. Results show that the injection timing can be slightly retarded when biodiesel fuel is applied for improved performance and reduced NOx emission. To explain this phenomenon, combustion analysis is conducted based on the cylinder pressure measurement. The shorter ignition delay of biodiesel combustion explains why the best torque timing should be retarded for biodiesel fuel.