Evaluation of Engine Performance and Emissions with Biodiesel Blends Containing Polymer Waste Additives

The increasing awareness of fossil fuel depletion and environmental pollution has spurred interest in alternative fuels, notably biodiesel. However, biodiesel's performance and emissions can be influenced by intrinsic factors, such as viscosity and energy content. The research assesses the feasibility of enhancing engine performance and reducing emissions by integrating polymer waste additives (PWA) into biodiesel blends (B5). The maximum dissolution capacity of PWA in biodiesel was established, resulting in a uniform fuel composition. Subsequently, various biodiesel-diesel blends (B5) with differing PWA concentrations (30/60/90g) were evaluated in an engine under standardized operating conditions. The engine performance characteristics of braking power (BP), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), and brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) were evaluated statistically in addition to lowering emissions of CO, CO₂, and NOx. Incorporating dissolved PWA into biodiesel-diesel blends sustained engine performance in acceptable parameters, while simultaneously yielding notable reductions in emissions. These results demonstrate how PWA concentrations in biodiesel blends can be optimized to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions. Integrating dissolved PWA into biodiesel-diesel blends presents a dual advantage of promoting sustainable PWA while enhancing fuel characteristics. This innovative approach holds significant potential for improving diesel engine performance and reducing emissions, making it a promising adoption for energy recovery applications.