Physicochemical Properties, Combustion and Emission Performance of a Novel Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Seed Oil Methylic Ester Biodiesel

Zanthoxylum bungeanum seed oil methylic ester (ZSOME) biodiesel was synthesized through transesterification with Zanthoxylum bungeanum seed oil (ZSO) and methanol. The new biodiesel was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrography. Physical chemistry and property tests indicated that ZSOME biodiesel had a high cetane index, good solubility, and a large flash point. Engine combustion experiment testified that burning the novel biodiesel has little influence on engine operation. Compared with 0# diesel fuel, the pressure lifting ratio reduced by 17–38.9% at 1500 rpm and by 4.6–10.2% at 2000 rpm for three different biodiesel blends, and the maximal instantaneous heat release rate lowered by 17.0–37.4% at 1500 rpm and by 5.0–11.3% at 2000 rpm for different blends. Granule emissions were decreased when the diesel engine burnt ZSO biodiesel under partial loads at 1500 rpm and 2000 rpm, NOX emissions were reduced at 1500 rpm but increased at 2000 rpm.