Study on the effect of the use essential bio-additives on the biodiesel characteristics (B20) and its performance using a 20 kVA generator.

To strengthen national energy security, the government has announced the use of renewable energy, one of which is biodiesel. One of the technical problems that can reduce the quality of biodiesel is the high-water content in biodiesel so it is feared that it will reduce engine performance. A study has been carried out aimed to evaluate the effect of adding bio-additives on the physic-chemical characteristics of biodiesel (B20) and its performance on the engine. The addition of bio-additives with the base of turpentine, eugenol, and citronella oil with a ratio of 1:4000 in B20 as test fuel. Engine performance testing is carried out by testing engine fuel consumption and the emissions using a generator engine with a capacity of 20 kVA, with SNI 0119:2019 testing standards. The results showed that the physic-chemical characteristics of B20 were identical to those of B20+ bio-additives except for lower water content. The engine test results show that at 1500- and 3000-Watt loads, the fuel consumption of B20+essential bio-additives shows lower results than B20, but identical at maximum loads, smoke emissions decrease significantly when the load is higher for B20+essential bio-additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]