Reduction emission of particulate matter as a function of insertion of biodiesel mixtures from soybean and castor bean in diesel

ABSTRACT Environmental and economic concerns resulting from demand for fossil fuels corroborate the need for alternatives to reduce environmental and economic impacts arising from the increasing use of diesel-powered vehicles and machines. The diversification of raw materials used to produce biodiesel can allow the improvement of fuel quality and of emissions resulting from their use in engines. This study evaluated the emission of particulate matter (PM) using biodiesel from soybean and castor bean in diesel/biodiesel mixtures, as well as its viscosity and oxidation stability (prerequisites for quality). For this purpose, biodiesel with different proportions of soybean and castor bean (SyMx) were evaluated, where y and x represent soybean and castor bean biodiesel percentages, respectively: S100M0, S75M25, S50M50, S25M75 and S0M100, mixed with diesel (BX), in the following percentages: 7 (diesel B7), 25 (B25), 40 (B40), 50 (B50), 75 (B75) and 100% (B100). The smoke opacity, viscosity and oxidation stability were determined according to NBR 13037, NBR 10441 and EN 14112, respectively. Among the analyzed mixtures, the commercial diesel (B7) emitted higher amounts of PM, whereas other mixtures, which met the prerequisites for quality (B25 and B40), emitted smaller amounts of PM as increased castor bean biodiesel percentage in mixtures SyMx, as well as with the increase of biodiesel in the mixtures BX. They were also achieved gains in quality as a function of the different compositions SyMx.