Design and Use of an Alternative Fuel Testing Apparatus and Assessment of the Feasibility of

184 Pages·2017·6.12 MB·English

by  Matthew Tanner

Bucknell University
Bucknell Digital Commons
Master’s Theses Student Theses
Spring 2012
Design and Use of an Alternative Fuel Testing
Apparatus and Assessment of the Feasibility of
Biodiesel
Matthew Tanner
Follow this and additional works at:https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/masters_theses
Part of theMechanical Engineering Commons
Recommended Citation
Tanner, Matthew, "Design and Use of an Alternative Fuel Testing Apparatus and Assessment of the Feasibility of Biodiesel" (2012).
Master’s Theses. 87.
https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/masters_theses/87
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I, Matthew A. Tanner, do grant permission for my thesis to be copied.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Most importantly, I would like to thank my family for their unconditional support and
guidance. I could never repay or thank my parents enough for being such a positive
influence on my life and always being there for me. I owe a special thanks to my brother
Troy for not only being a life-long companion and a motivator but also for teaching me
the importance of communication and team work. This major accomplishment in my life
is a reflection of the sacrifices and efforts made by my family.
I would also like to thank Professor Peter Stryker for giving me the opportunity to
complete this project and providing guidance along the way. Completion would not have
been possible without his support and the support and knowledge of Professor Indranil
Brahma and Professor Christopher Mordaunt. I also thank fellow graduate student Wade
Pierce for his help and willingness to lend a hand despite his own problems and busy
schedule. Wade was like a brother to me throughout this project and our friendship is
invaluable to me. Thanks to Tim Baker and Dan Johnson for sharing their wisdom and
expertise in the machine shop. I greatly value the things they have taught me and the
friendship we have developed. Also, thanks to Wade Hutchinson for helping me with
data acquisition and LabVIEW programming, and Tom Thul for his help and advice with
electrical systems.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... viii
LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ xii
ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................... xiv
CHAPTER 1 Introduction................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Internal Combustion Engine ..................................................................................... 1
1.2 Environmental Issues ................................................................................................ 3
1.3 Fuel Consumption Reduction Solutions ................................................................... 6
1.4 Thesis Objectives ...................................................................................................... 8
1.5 Testing Method ......................................................................................................... 8
1.6 Design of Experiment ............................................................................................... 9
Chapter 2 Literature Review ............................................................................................. 10
2.1 Biodiesel Definition ................................................................................................ 10
2.2 Biodiesel Production ............................................................................................... 12
2.3 Biodiesel Sustainability .......................................................................................... 14
2.4 Published Testing and Results ................................................................................ 15
2.5 Physical Property Effects ........................................................................................ 16
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2.6 Chemical Property Effects ...................................................................................... 20
2.7 Testing Methods...................................................................................................... 24
Chapter 3 Test Cell Design ............................................................................................... 27
3.1 Design Criteria ........................................................................................................ 27
3.2 Design Constraints .................................................................................................. 28
3.3 Previous Work and Modifications .......................................................................... 28
3.4 Engine Selection ..................................................................................................... 29
3.5 Engine Implementation ........................................................................................... 30
3.6 Intake System .......................................................................................................... 32
3.7 Exhaust System ....................................................................................................... 33
3.8 Speed Reduction System......................................................................................... 34
3.9 Engine Mount.......................................................................................................... 39
3.10 Fuel Delivery System ............................................................................................ 41
3.11 Speed Control System ........................................................................................... 42
3.12 Engine Starting System ......................................................................................... 43
3.13 Emissions Analysis Equipment............................................................................. 44
3.7 Data Acquisition ..................................................................................................... 47
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Chapter 4 Testing and Design Verification ...................................................................... 50
4.1 Test Plan.................................................................................................................. 50
4.2 Operation Procedures .............................................................................................. 53
4.3 Measurement Calibrations ...................................................................................... 53
4.4 Design Verification ................................................................................................. 57
4.5 Accuracy and Repeatability .................................................................................... 57
Chapter 5 Experimental Results........................................................................................ 63
5.1 Fuel Properties ........................................................................................................ 63
5.2 Experimental Testing Data ..................................................................................... 70
5.3 Calculated Data ....................................................................................................... 73
5.3.1 Power ................................................................................................................... 73
5.3.2 Brake Mean Effective Pressure (BMEP) ............................................................. 75
5.3.3 Brake Specific Fuel Consumption ....................................................................... 76
5.3.4 Thermal Efficiency .............................................................................................. 77
5.3.5 Air Mass Flow Rate ............................................................................................. 78
5.3.6 Air/Fuel Ratio ...................................................................................................... 80
5.3.7 Corrected NOx ..................................................................................................... 81
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5.3.8 Exhaust Energy .................................................................................................... 83
5.3.9 Heat Rejection ...................................................................................................... 84
Chapter 6 Discussion and Conclusion .............................................................................. 86
6.1 Discussion of Fuel Properties ................................................................................. 86
6.2 Discussion of Engine Performance Parameters ...................................................... 87
6.2.1 Discussion of Brake Mean Effective Pressure Results ........................................ 87
6.2.2 Discussion of Brake Specific Fuel Consumption Results.................................... 89
6.2.3 Discussion of Thermal Efficiency Results ........................................................... 91
6.2.4 Discussion of Air/Fuel Ratio ............................................................................... 93
6.2.5 Discussion of Heat Losses ................................................................................... 95
6.3 Discussion of Emissions Results ............................................................................ 97
6.3.1 Discussion of Unburned Hydrocarbon Emissions ............................................... 97
6.3.2 Discussion of Carbon Monoxide Emissions ........................................................ 99
6.3.3 Discussion of Carbon Dioxide Emissions.......................................................... 101
6.3.4 Discussion of NO Emissions ............................................................................ 103
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6.4 Conclusions ........................................................................................................... 106
6.5 Recommendations for Future Work...................................................................... 107
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References ....................................................................................................................... 110
Appendix A: Emissions Equipment Operation Procedure.............................................. 115
Appendix B: Data File Preparation Procedure ................................................................ 121
Appendix C: Dynamometer Startup and Operation Procedure ....................................... 123
Appendix D: Data File Analysis Procedure .................................................................... 131
Appendix E: Fuel Changing Procedure .......................................................................... 140
Appendix F: Partial Pressure Calculation ....................................................................... 143
Appendix G: NOx Correction Factor Calculation .......................................................... 146
Appendix H: Engineering Drawings ............................................................................... 148