Modern diesel engines utilize high pressure common rail fuel systems whose small injector gaps are highly sensitive to deposits. New research from the University of Rostock in Germany has shown that biodiesel use can minimize deposit formation in common rail injectors.

“Deposit formation processes could be simulated and factors influencing the formation of deposits could be identified,” stated Germany’s biodiesel quality management association, AGQM, one of the supporting organizations of the research. “The resulting measures have been examined for their effectiveness in this project.”

The use of aromatic-free fuels such as biodiesel and renewable diesel can reduce the deposit layer thicknesses, the research shows, with thickness decreasing as biodiesel content increases.

“The studies also showed that the formation of soaps is particularly critical and should therefore be avoided,” AGQM stated. “The standard, compliant biodiesel used in the project did not produce any soap-like coverings.”

The results of these tests not only prove the suitability of biodiesel in modern diesel engines, but they also appear to demonstrate biodiesel’s superior and beneficial fuel characteristics compared to fossil diesel.

The project was financed by Fachvereinigung Verbrennungskraftmaschinen (FVV e.V.) and the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR e.V.), and it was supported and accompanied by AGQM and others.