2.1 Introduction.................................................................................................. 21

2.2 Characterization of Vegetable Oils............................................................22

2.3 Methods to Use Vegetable Oils in Engines .............................................. 26

2.3.1 Pyrolysis ............................................................................................ 26

2.3.2 Microemulsification......................................................................... 26

2.3.3 Dilution.............................................................................................. 28

2.3.4 Transesterification............................................................................ 29

2.4 Engine Tests ..................................................................................................30

2.4.1 Performance and Emissions Studies.............................................30

2.4.2 Endurance Tests ............................................................................... 33

2.4.3 Lube Oil Analysis ............................................................................ 36

2.5 Advantages of Vegetable Oils .................................................................... 38

2.6 Challenges for Vegetable Oils .................................................................... 39

References............................................................................................................... 39

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Vegetable Oils
Arumugam Sakunthalai Ramadhas, Chandrasekaran
Muraleedharan, and Simon Jayaraj
CONTENTS
2.1 Introduction
Fossil fuels (i.e., coal and petroleum products) are the major sources of energy
in the world. Coal is considered the primary energy source for electric power
generation and petroleum products for the transportation sector. Various
alternatives are being tried for the substitution of petroleum products, which
include biomass derived sources like vegetable oils, biodiesel, alcohols, other
gaseous fuels like natural gas and LPG, and engine power trains such as fuel
cells and hybrid systems. These efforts were made to reduce the emissions
and to improve the fuel security. Significant research work is being carried
out around the world on production as well as the application of biomass
energy for fuel purposes.
The concept of using vegetable oil as fuel dates back to 1895 when
Dr. Rudolf Diesel developed the first diesel engine to run on vegetable oil.
Dr. Diesel had demonstrated his engine at the World Exhibition in Paris
in 1900 using peanut oil. With the arrival of petroleum and its appropriate
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