Effect of anti‐oxidants on the lubricity of B30 biodiesel–diesel blend

Abstract

Abstract Biodiesel is used in many countries as blends with diesel fuel. However, the main obstacle in biodiesel/diesel blends acceptance, commercialization worldwide and using higher blends seems to be its ability to oxidise and increase wear and friction of automotive parts. An experimental investigation has been carried out to analyse the effect of three different anti‐oxidants on the lubricity of palm biodiesel–diesel blend (B30) and to optimise anti‐oxidant concentration based on the performance. The three phenolic anti‐oxidants, butylated hydroxytoluene, propylgallate and pyrogallol, were tested using four‐ball tribotester for 1 h with 1500 rpm and 40 kg load, at ambient temperature. These three anti‐oxidants were used in varying concentrations of 200, 400 and 600 ppm. Propylgallate anti‐oxidant showed most effective results by enhancing the lubricity of the blend in terms of reduced wear and friction. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.