A significant advance in the field of engines diesel could give hope to this technology, sidelined by new European regulations since the scandal Dieselgate. Researchers recently shared a promising discovery in the peer-reviewed journal E3S Web Conf. They succeeded in replacing fossil fuel with rapeseed oil in diesel engines. This innovation could play a key role in the adoption of biofuels. Although diesel engines were once valued for their durability and fuel efficiency, they are now criticized for their impact on the environment. In the Low Emission Zones (ZFE)all diesel vehicles, even the most recent, automatically receive the vignette Crit’Air 2which could be banned in some major cities by 2026. To address this challenge, engineers at RUDN University explored the use of rapeseed oil as a more environmentally friendly alternative. Led by Associate Professor Pablo Vallejo, the team focused on reducing the ecological footprint combustion engines. By opting for rapeseed oil, researchers aim to reduce polluting emissions, in accordance with current ecological standards, to promote more sustainable mobility.
Some adjustments still necessary to be perfect
To achieve their objectives, the researchers used a MD-6 diesel enginedesigned for agricultural machines, in order to test and compare the effectiveness of rapeseed oil compared to traditional diesel. Although the results are encouraging, the experience revealed certain limitations of this biofuel, particularly in terms of pure performance compared to fossil fuel. The study highlights that technical adjustments mainly focused on “optimization of the injection advance angle and the supply system”. Thanks to these modifications, the researchers managed to overcome these obstacles and bring the performance of rapeseed oil closer to that of diesel. Additionally, the study indicates that converting a diesel engine to run efficiently on canola oil presents several challenges, particularly regarding the quality of the fuel supply and the emissions produced.
These two aspects are crucial for the project to be viable once the technical details are resolved. However, according to the study, several solutions have been identified to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of diesel engines through the use of this biofuel with precise adjustments. It remains to be seen whether such an advance, currently carried out on a small scale, will be able to influence the future of automobile development…
Heavy goods vehicles are already using rapeseed oil!
For heavy vehicles, the use of rapeseed oil to replace diesel is already a reality. This fuel, called Oléo100 due to its composition 100% rapeseedis offered by the agri-food group Avril and has been adopted by many French transporters for their trucks and buses. The ecological advantages are clear: from production to use, Oléo100 (or B100) reduces 80% fine particle emissionsalthough it leads to 5% excess consumption compared to B7 diesel. Although promising for our cars, the use of canola oil is currently limited by two factors. First, the B100 is not accessible to individuals because it is not available at service stations, forcing each carrier to install its own tank to supply its fleet. Secondly, only heavy goods vehicles complying with the Euro 6 standards (manufactured after January 1, 2014) can use canola oil.
Currently, several models from Renault Trucks, MAN Truck & Bus, Volvo Trucks and Scania are certified to run on B100, allowing them to obtain the Crit’Air 1 sticker, generally reserved for gasoline vehicles. With these advantages, the B100 could be used in our cars, provided its adoption by fleets is successful and diesel remains relevant in the years to come…
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