Performance and Emission Characteristics of Vegetable Oil Fuels in Diesel Engines
Summary
Vegetable oil fuels offer a renewable alternative to conventional diesel by utilising triglyceride-rich feedstocks such as rapeseed, soybean, palm and waste cooking oils. When employed in compression-ignition engines they present distinct benefits, including reduced particulate and carbon monoxide emissions, and a closed-carbon cycle that can mitigate net greenhouse-gas output. However, their higher viscosity and lower volatility may impair atomisation, prolong ignition delay and promote in-cylinder deposits. To overcome these challenges, strategies such as preheating, blending with diesel or alcohols, and emulsification have been investigated. Key performance metrics include brake-specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency and power output, while emission profiles encompass oxides of nitrogen (NOx), unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. Advances in fuel pretreatment, engine tuning and after-treatment systems are driving global interest in vegetable oil fuels for road transport, agricultural machinery and stationary power generation, with a focus on lifecycle sustainability and compatibility with existing engine architectures.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Performance and Emission Characteristics of Vegetable Oil Fuels in Diesel Engines publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in performance and emission characteristics of vegetable oil fuels in diesel engines across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC): mass of fuel consumed per unit of power output over time, indicating fuel efficiency.
Brake thermal efficiency: ratio of mechanical energy output to the chemical energy input of the fuel, reflecting engine performance.
Viscosity: measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow, influencing atomisation and combustion quality in diesel engines.
Calorific value: amount of energy released per unit mass or volume of fuel during complete combustion.
Emulsified fuel: mixture of two immiscible liquids (such as water and vegetable oil) stabilised by surfactants to enhance spray characteristics.
Oxides of nitrogen (NOx): nitrogen-based pollutants formed at high combustion temperatures, regulated due to their environmental and health impacts.
References
- Energy Utilization of Rapeseed Biomass in Europe: A Review of Current and Innovative Applications. Energies (2024).
- Investigation of the Influence of Different Vegetable Oils as a Component of Blended Biofuel on Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Diesel Engine for Agricultural Machinery and Commercial Vehicles. Resources (2021).
- Investigation of the Performances of a Diesel Engine Operating on Blended and Emulsified Biofuels from Rapeseed Oil. Energies (2021).
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.