Emission and performance characteristics of a 2 litre Toyota diesel van operating on esterified waste cooking oil and mineral diesel fuel.

Exhaust emission and performance characteristics were evaluated in a Toyota van, powered by a 21 indirect injection (IDI) naturally aspirated diesel e ngine, operating on vegetable based waste cooking oil methyl ester (WCOME). Tests were performed on a chassis dynamometer and the data were compared wi th previous results conducted on the same vehicle using mineral diesel fuel . The data obtained includes smoke opacity, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon di oxide (CO2), oxygen (O-2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitric oxide (NO), sulfu r dioxide (SO2) and brake power. Engine lubricating oil samples were also t aken. Results from this study indicated a difference of approximately 9% in brake power between the two fuels. WCOME developed a significant lower smo ke opacity level and reduced CO, CO2, SO2 emissions. However, O-2, NO2 and NO levels were higher with the vegetable oil based fuel. Power values were comparable for both fuels. Lubricating oil analysis gave little change of v iscosity and wear metal concentrations after 2887km were: Silicon 35ppm, Ch romium 3.3ppm, Iron 33.8ppm, Copper 14.1ppm and lead 78.6ppm.