IJLTEMAS International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering, Management & Applied Science (IJLTEMAS) IJLTEMAS 2278-2540 IJLTEMAS 58 10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2026.150700053 Influence Influence of Palm Oil Blending Ratio on Fuel Characteristics and Diesel Engine Performance under Different Operating Loads M.M Mahadzir Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Mara, 13500 Permatang Pauh Pulau Pinang, Malaysia Malaysia M.M Mifzal Mechanical Section, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Spanish Institute, Kulim Hi-TechPark, 09000 Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia/Canon Electronics (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, MK1, 2495, Jalan Perusahaan Baru 2, Zon Perusahaan Prai, 13600 Perai, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia Malaysia N.N Sabrina Mechanical Section, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Spanish Institute, Kulim Hi-TechPark, 09000 Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia Malaysia N.I Ismail Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Mara, 13500 Permatang Pauh Pulau Pinang, Malaysia Malaysia M.I Ahmad Faculty of Bioengineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus,17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia Malaysia 15 7 644 654 26 07 2026 31 07 2026 08 08 2026 Palm oil–diesel blends Engine performance analysis Renewable biofuel Alternative fuels for diesel engines Compression ignition engine Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable energy has accelerated research on renewable fuels for compression ignition (CI) engines. This study experimentally evaluated the performance of a small CI diesel engine fueled with palm oil–diesel blends (PO20, PO40, PO60, PO80, and PO100) under electrical loads of 300, 600, and 900 W. Engine performance was assessed using torque, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and brake thermal efficiency (BTE), with conventional diesel as the reference fuel. Performance improved with increasing load for all fuels. Diesel produced the highest overall performance, while several palm oil blends achieved comparable results at higher loads. Among the blends, PO80 exhibited the best balance of torque, fuel consumption, and thermal efficiency. In contrast, PO100 showed lower efficiency because of its higher viscosity and poorer atomization characteristics. These findings demonstrate that palm oil–diesel blends, particularly PO80, are promising renewable alternatives for small CI engines without requiring significant engine modifications.

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