Performance Analysis of a Diesel Engine Using Biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oil

JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF BIOMECHANICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOMECHANICAL AND PROCESSING ENGINEERING

RESEARCH PROJECT III

TITLE:  PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF A DIESEL ENGINE USING BIODIESEL FROM WASTE COOKING OIL

VINCENT ROTICH

AG211-0006/06

SUPERVISORS: MR ANYANGU

                               DR MUTWIWA

COORDINATOR: MR WERU

---

Table of Contents

1.        INTRODUCTION        

1.1 Background information        

1.2 Problem Statement        

1.3 Justification        

1.4 Objectives        

1.4.1 Main objective        

1.4.2 Specific Objectives        

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW        

2.1 Biodiesel        

2.2 Biodiesel feedstock        

2.3 Transesterification        

2.3.1 Catalyst used in transesterification        

2.3.2 Biodiesel production from used cooking oil        

2.3.3 Characteristics of biodiesel as a fuel        

2.3.3.1 Biodiesel fuel property measurement        

2.4 Biodiesel blends        

2.4.1 Low-Level Blends        

2.4.2 B20 biodiesel        

2.4.3 B100 biodiesel        

2.5 Diesel engine performance tests        

2.5.1 Measurement of brake power        

2.5.2 Eddy Current Dynamometer        

2.5.3 Fuel Consumption Measurement        

2.5.4 Measurement of Exhaust Smoke        

3.0 METHODOLOGY        

3.1 Collection of waste cooking oil and diesel        

3.2 Analysis of the waste cooking oil        

3.2.1 Filtration        

3.2.2 Determination of water availability        

3.2.3 Determination of Viscosity and density        

3.2.4 Determination of free fatty acids        

3.2.5 Determination of Acid Number        

3.3 Transesterification        

3.3.1 Preparation of potassium methoxide        

3.3.2 Heating and mixing