Effect of rapeseed methyl ester on fuel consumption and engine power

Abstract

This paper describes the effect of a mixture of rapeseed methyl ester and diesel oil on fuel consumption and power parameters of tractor engine. The hydraulic dynamometer was used to load the engine of Zetor Forterra 8641 tractor over rear power take-off. The measured tractor is almost new with less than 100 h worked. The measurements were realized for several ratios of diesel oil and rapeseed methyl ester (from pure diesel to pure rapeseed methyl ester). The engine was loaded by the dynamometer in several working points which were predefined by engine speed and its torque. The fuel consumption was measured by the flow meter in each of these points. The reduction of engine's power parameters and the increase of specific fuel consumption are expected due to the nature of rapeseed methyl ester such as e.g. lower calorific value.

Keywords

• biofuel
• speed characteristic
• engine map