Fuel Qualities and Combustion Characteristics of Animal-Fats Biodiesel for Agricultural Hot Air Heaters

Purpose: Combustion and fuel qualities of the animal-fats biodiesel as a heating fuel for agricultural hot air heater were studied. Methods: Biodiesel (BD) was made from animal-fats by reacting with methanol and potassium hydroxide in the laboratory. The biodiesel made in the laboratory was tested for fuel and combustion qualities. Results: The kinematic viscosity and the calorific values of the biodiesels were measured. Kerosene based biodiesel, BD20 (K) showed 18 cSt at -20℃. It seemed that BD100 was not suitable for a heating fuel under some temperature. As BD content increased, the calorific value decreased up to 40,000 J/g for BD100, while the calorific value of light oil was 45,567 J/g showing difference of 5,567 J/g, about 12% difference. Several different fuels including BD20 (biodiesel 20% + light oil 80%), BD50 (biodiesel 50% + light oil 50%), BD100 (biodiesel 100%), and light oil were tested for fuel combustion qualities for agricultural hot air heater, and their combustion performances were compared and analyzed. Flame dimensions of biodiesels and light oils were almost the same shape at the same combustion condition. Generally, the CO₂ amounts of BDs were greater than light oil. However, in this study the differences were minor, so there was no significant difference existed between the BDs combustion and light oil. Conclusions: It seemed that quality was good for heating oil for agricultural hot air heater because of showing no barriers for continuous combustion and proper exhaust gas temperature and CO₂ amount discharged. But, for fuel fluidity for higher BD content fuel could be a detrimental problem in situations where the outdoor temperature is lowered. As BD content increased, calorific value decreased up to 40,000 J/g for BD100. Calorific value difference between BD20 and light oil was about 1,360 J/g.