IMPROVEMENT OF COLD FLOW PROPERTIES OF BIODIESEL BY USING METHYL PROXYTOL (PM)

Abstract

Cold flow properties of biodiesel are worse compared to diesel fuel; and this may cause problems during first start in cold weather. Cold properties of biodiesel exhibit variations according to oil acid composition and alkali groups in cold climates [1]. Biodiesel containing high amount of saturated fatty acids has high pour point, cloud point and cold filter plugging point values. Therefore, the use of fuel, with no good cold flow properties, damages the fuel supply elements of the engine and causes first movement problems [2]. The ability to maintain the properties of fuel at low temperatures is called cold flow performance. Up to 20% of diesel fuel may consist of relatively heavy molecules (paraffin). At low temperatures, these heavy paraffin molecules decompose to form paraffin wax and precipitate, causing clogging of fuel lines and filters. This causes the engine to lose power and/or stop. Adding a heater to the fuel system immediately after the fuel filter or with a filter coupled provides a solution to the viscosity problem that occurs during the use of biodiesel in cold weather [3]. Since biodiesel and biodiesel-diesel blends have higher pour and cloud point values than that of diesel, it is envisaged to use suitable additives (methyl proxytol, ethyl proxytol, anti-gel substances) for effective use of fuels in the cold. In this study, biodiesel fuels, 2%, 5% and 7% in the fuel mixture density (880,882,883kg / m3) and viscosity (4.04, 3.69 and 3.48 mm2/s) values are then obtained by joining the additive methyl proksitol pour point (-51, -53 and -57oC), cloud point (-57.4, 60.2 and 63.6oC), cold filter plugging point (-54, -56 and -59oC) values were measured.