Antioxidant Additives in Biodiesel-Fueled Compression Ignition Engines
Summary
Antioxidant additives have emerged as a critical means of addressing the inherent oxidative instability of biodiesel in compression ignition engines. Fatty acid methyl esters readily undergo autoxidation, leading to the formation of peroxides, organic acids and polymeric materials that impair fuel quality, clog filters and accelerate engine wear. By scavenging free radicals and interrupting chain‐reaction pathways, antioxidant compounds preserve the chemical integrity of biodiesel during storage and combustion. Their inclusion not only extends shelf life but also enhances combustion characteristics, reduces deposit formation and mitigates emissions of particulate matter and unburned hydrocarbons. Recent innovations span synthetic phenolic derivatives, natural tocopherols and metal‐based nanoparticles, all of which are being tailored to the stringent performance and environmental requirements of modern diesel powertrains. These developments hold promise for expanding the practical use of biodiesel blends worldwide, contributing to lower carbon footprints and improved energy security in the transport sector.
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Antioxidant Additives in Biodiesel-Fueled Compression Ignition Engines publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in antioxidant additives in biodiesel-fueled compression ignition engines across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Antioxidant additive: A compound added to biodiesel to inhibit oxidative degradation of fatty acid methyl esters during storage and use.
Oxidative stability: The resistance of biodiesel to chemical changes induced by oxygen, typically measured by induction period under controlled conditions.
B20: A fuel blend containing 20 % biodiesel and 80 % conventional diesel by volume.
Brake‐specific fuel consumption (BSFC): A measure of engine fuel efficiency calculated as the fuel flow rate per unit of power output.
Tocopherol: A class of naturally occurring compounds with antioxidant properties, commonly derived from vegetable oils and used to stabilise biodiesel.
Metal oxide nanoparticle: Ultrafine particles of metal oxides that can act as catalytic or radical-scavenging additives in fuel systems.
References
- Influence of Graphene Nano Particles and Antioxidants with Waste Cooking Oil Biodiesel and Diesel Blends on Engine Performance and Emissions. Energies (2021).
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