Abstract—Energy is essential for the economic growth in developing countries. The demand for domestic energy consumption in Thailand derives the use of ethyl ester as an alternative fuel because it is synthesized from the transesterification of agricultural products. The main objectives of this research is to investigate the fuel properties and the small diesel-engine performance using the produced ethyl ester from palm oil. The small diesel-engine was a single-cylinder, four-stroke, and direct-injection system, connected with 2.5 kW AC generator. The ethyl ester was produced from palm oil reacted with anhydrous ethanol (99.9%), and NaOH catalyst. The produced ethyl ester had 99.95% yield, 12C cloud point, 174.3C flash point, 873 kg/m3 fuel density, 4.75 mm2/sec fuel viscosity, and 39.87 MJ/kg fuel heating value. Result of the fuel injection pressure test showed that it is increased with increasing ethyl ester in blending with diesel oil. For the engine performance testing at various speeds and full electrical load showed that the use of diesel oil mixed with ethyl ester from 10 to 50% and pure ethyl ester led to the decrease of electrical power and thermal efficiency and the increase of specific fuel consumption and exhaust gas temperature. 
 

Index Terms—ethyl ester, diesel oil, fuel properties, engine performance

Cite: Mattana Santasnachok, Ekkachai Sutheerasak, Wirogana Ruengphrathuengsuka, and Charoen Chinwanitcharoen, "Performance Analysis of a Diesel-Engine Generator Using Ethyl Ester Synthesized from Anhydrous Ethanol and NaOH," International Journal of Electrical and Electronic Engineering & Telecommunications, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 108-112, March 2019. Doi: 10.18178/ijeetc.8.2.108-112