The kinematic viscosity of biodiesel and its blends with diesel fuel

Tat M. E. , Van Gerpen J.

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN OIL CHEMISTS SOCIETY, vol.76, no.12, pp.1511-1513, 1999 (Journal Indexed in SCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 76 Issue: 12
  • Publication Date: 1999
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s11746-999-0194-0
  • Title of Journal : JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN OIL CHEMISTS SOCIETY
  • Page Numbers: pp.1511-1513
  • Keywords: biodiesel, diesel fuel, kinematic viscosity, methyl esters, methyl soyate, viscosity, FATTY-ACIDS

Abstract

As the use of biodiesel becomes more widespread, engine manufacturers have expressed concern about biodiesel's higher viscosity. In particular, they are concerned that biodiesel may exhibit different viscosity-temperature characteristics that could result in higher fuel injection pressures at low engine operating temperatures. This study presents data for the kinematic viscosity of biodiesel and its blends with No. 1 and No. 2 diesel fuels at 75, 50, and 20% biodiesel, from close to their melting point to 100 degrees C. The results indicate that while their viscosity is higher, biodiesel and its blends demonstrate temperature-dependent behavior similar to that of No. land No. 2 diesel fuels. Equations of the same general form are shown to correlate viscosity data for both biodiesel and diesel fuel, and for their blends: A blending equation is presented that allows the kinematic viscosity to be calculated as a function of the biodiesel fraction. Paper no. J9166 in JAOCS 76, 1511-1513 (December 1999).