Performance and emissions of a Euro5 small diesel engine fuelled with biodiesel

This article describes the effects of using neat biodiesel on a modern small displacement passenger car diesel engine, highlighting the need for a specific adjusted electronic control unit (ECU) calibration for biodiesel. Engine performance were evaluated at full load with a standard ECU calibration as well as with an ECU calibration specifically adjusted for biodiesel; Break Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) and exhaust emissions was then evaluated at seven part load operating conditions, representative of the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Tests showed that through recalibration it is possible to obtain the same performance measured under diesel operation, with benefits in terms of engine-out emissions, especially as far as smoke emissions are concerned. Moreover, particle number and size distribution at engine outlet were also evaluated at part load operating conditions, showing a significant reduction of particle number and mass with biodiesel.