Two cottonseed oil biodiesel samples (cottonseed oil methyl esters, COME) produced in Clemson lab, together with other two commercial cottonseed oil biodiesels were evaluated on their engine performance with the No. 2 diesel fuel as a reference. The results revealed that emission of CO, CO2 and NOx from cottonseed oil biodiesels was lower than that of the No. 2 diesel fuel. CO decreased by 13.8%, CO2 by 11.1% and NOx by 10%, though there was no significantly statistical difference at p<0.05. The engine test also showed a slightly higher amount of consumption and less tendency of coke formation from COME than the No. 2 diesel fuel. The oxidative stability study showed COME with acceptable stability. COME exhibited friendly environmental benefits and acceptable stability, demonstrating its feasibility as an alternative fuel.
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