Cetane Number and Thermal Properties of Croton Oil , Biodiesel , 1 - Butanol , and Diesel Blends

Vegetable oil derived fuels for diesel engines are becoming important as alternative to petroleum diesel fuels due to their environmental friendliness and availability. Ignition quality in compression ignition (CI) engines is influenced by thermal characteristics and fuel properties. In this study, the effects of vegetable oil transesterification and vegetable oil-1-butanol-diesel blend on fuel properties, cetane number (CN), and thermal characteristics were experimentally investigated. Methyl ester (biodiesel) and 10% vegetable oil10% 1-butanol-80% diesel blend was prepared from croton oil (CRO). CN was measured in a CFR F-5 engine, and a thermogravimetric analysis (TG), as well as the determination of fuel properties of croton oils, biodiesel, and blend were carried out. It can be observed for vegetable oils that they possess low volatility characteristics, low CN and high viscosity different from those of biodiesels, blends, and diesel fuel. It was observed that biodiesels and blends exhibit similarities with diesel in the fuel characteristics, CN, and TG curves.