TESTING OF ALTERNATIVE DIESEL FUEL FROM TALLOW AND SOYBEAN OIL IN CUMMINS N-14-410 DIESEL-ENGINE

Performance and emissions characteristics were evaluated in a Cummins N14-410 diesel engine operating on 12 different blends of methyl tallo wate, methyl soyate, ethanol and/or high sulfur No. 2 diesel fuel. Eng ine performance on each fuel blend, exhaust emissions and smoke were m onitored and compared with diesel fuel. Engine performance was found s atisfactory without significant drops in power and torque. There was a slight increase in brake specific fuel consumption. Most engine exhau st emissions were not affected by an increase in the amount of alterna tive fuel in the blend. There was a significant quadratic trend in HC emissions. Brake specific HC emissions were reduced with. increases in alternative fuel in blends up to 80:20 ratio of diesel:alternative fu el; beyond that HC emissions increased.