Analysis of Tribological Properties of Palm Biodiesel and Oxidized Biodiesel Blends

ABSTRACT

Biodiesel has become an increasingly significant alternative fuel to replace conventional diesel completely or partially. Although biodiesel has several advantages, such as environmental friendliness, renewability, and reduced emissions, it also has major drawbacks. Tribology is one of the major concerns for biodiesel usage, in which biodiesel lubricity deteriorates by usage and/or by storage because of its oxidative nature. The present study aims to investigate the lubrication behavior of oxidized and pure palm biodiesel blends by using a four-ball tribotester machine. Tests were carried out in diesel, pure biodiesel (B100), their blends (B10 [10% biodiesel in diesel], B20, B30, and B50), and oxidized biodiesel (Oxd B100) and its blends (Oxd B10, Oxd B20, Oxd B30, and Oxd B50). Tests were conducted at room temperature under a normal load of 40 kg for 1 h at 1,200 rpm. Surface analyses were carried out by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectrometry, and optical microscopy, and fuel analysis was performed by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy. Diesel fuel showed the highest wear and friction. Surface deformation, wear, and friction decreased as the biodiesel concentration increased in the blend. Oxidized biodiesel blends showed improved lubricity compared to pure biodiesel and blends. However, Oxd B100 showed higher wear than Oxd B50.

KEYWORDS:

• Biodiesel
• oxidation
• wear
• friction

Funding

The authors acknowledge the University of Malaya for the financial support through a High Impact Research grant entitled, “Development of Alternative and Renewable Energy Carrier” (UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/ENG/60).