Biomass corncob tar oil (B-oil I and B-oil II) was
extracted, and its physical and chemical characteristics
were determined. Fuel characterization data showed some
similarities and differences between B-oil I or B-oil II and
Diesel: Flash points, densities and viscosities were higher
than those of Diesel. Solidifying points for B-oil I and B-
oil II were lower than that of Diesel. Heating values of
B-oil I or B-oil II were about 85.6% and 87.3% of the
one of Diesel fuel. Distillation temperatures of B-oil I
and B-oil II were uniformly lower than that of Diesel fuel
with the 50% evaporation point being as much as 10
°
C
and 4
°
C lower and the 90% evaporation point being
10
°
C and 2
°
C lower, respectively. These evaporation char-
acteristics suggest better cold starting and warm up proper-
ties for B-oil I and B-oil II than for Diesel fuel. B-oil I or B-
oil II was blended with Diesel in 10% and 20% by volume.
Engine tests have been conducted with the aim of obtaining
comparative measures of torque, thermal efficiency, specific
fuel consumption and emissions such as CO, smoke density
and NO to evaluate and compare the behaviors of the Die-
sel engine running on the above mentioned fuels. The
reduction in exhaust emissions together with the increases
in torque and thermal efficiency and the reduction in spe-
cific fuel consumption made the blends of B-oil I and B-
oil II (BI-10 and BII-10) a suitable alternative fuel for Die-
sel and could help in controlling air pollution.