Page 382 - Advances in Eco-Fuels for a Sustainable Environment

Ecofuel and its compatibility with 12

different automotive metals to
assess diesel engine durability

†
*
*
Kalam Azad , M.G. Rasul , M.M.K. Khan , Subhash C. Sharma *
*School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Melbourne,
†
VIC, Australia, School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University,
Rockhampton, QLD, Australia

12.1 Introduction

The ecofuel tribological characteristics of automotive metals are one of the important
aspects to assess the engine durability, reliability, and longevity of the diesel engine.
According to Nagar and Miers [1], about 20% engine efficiency can be reduced to
overcome the friction between the moving parts of the metal bodies. In addition,
Mosarof and Kalam [2] also reported that about 33% of total energy losses are due
to friction for passenger cars [3]. The engine efficiency can also be reduced because
of blow-by of flue gases due to wear of the piston and the cylinder metal surface,
which increases the clearance gaps. To minimize the effect of friction, there are some
techniques such as coating, texturing, and application of lighter metal that have been
used in the modern diesel engine [4]. Alternatively, lubrication is one of the most
effective and efficient techniques to minimize friction as well as save energy losses
and safely run an engine, as reported by Tung and McMillan [5]. Lubrication mainly
creates a very thin film (less than a micron and a lambda ratio (λ l ) 1 to 1.5) between the
metal surfaces, as reported by Azad et al. [6]. However, the petroleum-originated
lubricating oil can cause environmental pollution due to the higher content of heavy
metals (such as Fe, Cr, P, Zn, S, etc.), which is directly involved with the surface
growth of the particulate matter (PM) formation. Besides, bio-based lubricating oil
is one of the promising solutions to minimize environmental pollution due to less
metal content and its excellent self-lubricating properties [7–9]. For example, the veg-
etable oils such as soybean, sunflower, coconut, corn, and rice bran can be used as a
biolubricant in a diesel engine, as reported in the literature [2]. The ecofuels have
higher density and kinematic viscosity, which is one of the physical properties of
the fuel that demonstrates an excellent lubricating behavior. For instance, Haseeb
and Sia [10] investigated the wear and friction using palm oil at different temperatures
(30°C, 45°C, 60°C, and 75°C) and revealed that both increase with the increase of
cylinder wall temperature. On the contrary, Fazal and Haseeb [11] identified that both
decrease with the increase of the ecofuel blend.

Advances in Eco-Fuels for a Sustainable Environment. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102728-8.00012-7
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.