Gökhan Tuccar

Biodiesel Production From Tea Seed (Camellia Sinensis) Oil and its Blends With Diesel Fuel

Biodiesel has been produced from various vegetable oils, such as palm, canola (rapeseed), cottonseed, sunflower, and soybean oils as well as a variety of less common oils. This study evaluated the production of biodiesel using tea seed (Camellia sinensis) oil as a raw material. Methyl ester was produced by transesterification of tea seed oil with methanol in the presence of a catalyst (NaOH). The fuel properties such as pour point (PP), kinematic viscosity, cetane number, flash point, density, copper strip corrosion, and heating value were determined and discussed in light of American (ASTM D6751) and European (EN 14214) biodiesel standards. Not only the specifications of pure biodiesel but also its blends with diesel fuel were analyzed. Biodiesel produced from tea seed oil exhibit a low pour point value ofu2009−5°C, one of the lowest found for a biodiesel fuel. The cold flow properties of tea seed methyl ester (TSME) demonstrate its operational viability during the cold weather conditions. As a result, tea seed oil, as agricultural crop, might be a reasonable raw material for the biodiesel production.

The Potential of Microalgal Biodiesel in Turkey

Turkey has limited petroleum reserves which causes the country to become a foreign dependent in respect to energy. As a result, the dependency level of Turkey on foreign fossil fuel suppliers reaches around 70%. Biodiesel, which has a more favorable combustion emission profile, relatively high flash point, and good lubrication properties, can be an effective alternative energy source. However, to provide the necessary amount of oil from agricultural products may affect food production and require a high amount of water and fertilizer. With their high oil content and high productivity rates, microalgae seems to be the best source of fuel which can replace petroleum products totally. This article introduces methods of microalgae production and discusses the potential of Turkey to pass microalgal biodiesel technology.

Determınatıon of Atomızatıon Characterıstıcs of a Dıesel Injector

Atomization of liquid fuels is very important topic for combustion studies since it enhances air/ fuel mixing process and therefore ensures perfect combustion. With today’s common diesel injectors, fuel is directly injected into the combustion chamber with extremely high pressures which exceed 1300 bar in order to obtain perfect atomization. However, these high injection pressures unfortunately create some problems in the injection system such as cavitation erosion which may lead to mechanical failure. Introducing of air into the injector prior to combustion will increase fuel atomization, provide more complete combustion, enhance fuel economy and results in lower engine emissions. The aim of this study is to investigate atomization behaviour of a newly introduced diesel engine which mixes air and fuel prior to combustion chamber.