Multivariate analysis to identify groups of biodiesels in the operation of an agricultural engine

The increase in the use of diesel engines in the transport sector and in agriculture has led researchers to study new alternative sources of fuels. The objective was to identify the agglomerates existing in a set of biodiesels through multivariate exploratory analysis and determine the variables that most influenced the division of agglomerates to assist in the understanding of the functioning of the engines with these biodiesels. The present work was carried out in two tests: test I - tractor performance test and test II - exhaust smoke opacity. The tractors used in the experiment were the so-called traction tractor (tractor 1), the Valtra brand, model BM100, 4X2 with auxiliary front-wheel drive, 74 kW (100 hp) at 2,300 rpm on the engine and braking tractor (Tractor 2), the Valtra brand, model BH140, 4X2 with auxiliary front-wheel drive, 103 kW (140 hp) at 2,400 rpm on the engine. The hierarchical, non-hierarchical analysis and the main component analysis grouping allowed the ordering of the biodiesels into three groups. The variables that most influenced the division of the groups were volumetric hourly consumption, hourly weight consumption, and specific consumption. The biodiesels that are part of group one have greater calorific power resulting in less consumption of biodiesel in agricultural operations.