The use of B100 biodiesel for compression ignition engines during the winter poses a challenge due to gelling and plugging of engine filters and fuel lines. The most common method to prevent this issue is blending it with petroleum diesel and many engine manufacturers limit the biodiesel in blends to 20% or less for warrantee purposes; as low as 5% may be set for winter months. In this research, an experimental analysis is performed using a scaled model of the fuel tank with canola oil as a test fluid in the tank. An insulated tank is subjected to an ambient temperature of −20 °C in an icing tunnel facility with air velocity at 10 m/s. The results show that the time for the oil to drop from 20 °C to 5 °C was increased from 18.6 h to 22.5 and 33 h, respectively, when 4 and 12 tubes containing phase change materials (PCM) were inserted in the tank containing 33 l of canola oil. A numerical model was further formulated to predict the transient temperature of the oil and comparison with experimental results showed excellent agreement. Finally, the developed numerical model was used to simulate different designs to investigate the effect of tank filling level, overall heat transfer coefficient, number of PCM modules, and diameter of PCM modules on the tank performance. The results show that B100 can be implemented in diesel engines in cold climates using a passive approach using engine coolant.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
June 2019
Research-Article
Application of Low-Temperature Phase Change Materials to Enable the Cold Weather Operability of B100 Biodiesel in Diesel Trucks
Obiajulu J. Nnaemeka,
Obiajulu J. Nnaemeka
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6, Canada
e-mail: nnaemeko@myumanitoba.ca
University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6, Canada
e-mail: nnaemeko@myumanitoba.ca
Search for other works by this author on:
Eric L. Bibeau
Eric L. Bibeau
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6, Canada
e-mail: eric.bibeau@umanitoba.ca
University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6, Canada
e-mail: eric.bibeau@umanitoba.ca
Search for other works by this author on:
Obiajulu J. Nnaemeka
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6, Canada
e-mail: nnaemeko@myumanitoba.ca
University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6, Canada
e-mail: nnaemeko@myumanitoba.ca
Eric L. Bibeau
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6, Canada
e-mail: eric.bibeau@umanitoba.ca
University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6, Canada
e-mail: eric.bibeau@umanitoba.ca
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Advanced Energy Systems Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY. Manuscript received September 7, 2018; final manuscript received December 20, 2018; published online January 18, 2019. Assoc. Editor: Omid Askari.
J. Energy Resour. Technol. Jun 2019, 141(6): 062008 (9 pages)
Published Online: January 18, 2019
Article history
Received:
September 7, 2018
Revised:
December 20, 2018
Citation
Nnaemeka, O. J., and Bibeau, E. L. (January 18, 2019). "Application of Low-Temperature Phase Change Materials to Enable the Cold Weather Operability of B100 Biodiesel in Diesel Trucks." ASME. J. Energy Resour. Technol. June 2019; 141(6): 062008. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4042409
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
Numerical Study of Composite Percussive Drilling With Consideration of Heat Transfer Between Drilling Fluid and Bottom-Hole Rock in Geothermal Drilling
J. Energy Resour. Technol (June 2023)
An Investigation of the Impact of Combustion Chamber Geometry on Turbulent Burning Speeds in a Thermodynamic Model
J. Energy Resour. Technol (June 2023)
Synergy in Syngas Yield From Co-Pyrolysis of Cow and Chicken Manures
J. Energy Resour. Technol (June 2023)
Related Articles
Numerical and Experimental Study on the Impact of Mild Cold Exhaust Gas Recirculation on Exhaust Emissions in a Biodiesel-Fueled Diesel Engine
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (November,2021)
An Experimental Way of Assessing the Application Potential of Emulsified Palm Biodiesel Toward Alternative to Diesel
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (February,2014)
Comparative Performance, Emission, and Combustion Characteristics of Rice-Bran Oil and Its Biodiesel in a Transportation Diesel Engine
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (June,2010)
Production of Biodiesel From Used Mustard Oil and Its Performance Analysis in Internal Combustion Engine
J. Energy Resour. Technol (September,2010)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Determination of the Effects of Safflower Biodiesel and Its Blends with Diesel Fuel on Engine Performance and Emissions in a Single Cylinder Diesel Engine
International Conference on Software Technology and Engineering, 3rd (ICSTE 2011)
Heat Transfer Enhancement for Thermal Energy Storage Using Metal Foams Embedded within Phase Change Materials (PCMS)
Inaugural US-EU-China Thermophysics Conference-Renewable Energy 2009 (UECTC 2009 Proceedings)
Practical Applications
Robust Control: Youla Parameterization Approach