The use of biofuel is one method for limiting the harmful impact of diesel engines on the environment. It is also a way of gradually becoming less dependent on the depleting petroleum resources. New resources for producing biodiesel are currently being sought. The authors produced esters from animal fat waste, obtaining a fuel that can power diesel engines and identifying a way to utilise unnecessary waste. The animal fat methyl ester (AME) was produced using a reactor constructed for non-industrial ester production. The aim underlying this paper was to determine whether a diesel engine can be fuelled with AME biodiesel and to test this fuel’s impact on exhaust gas composition and fuel consumption. Fuelling a Perkins 1104D-44TA engine with AME biodiesel led to a reduction in the smoke opacity of the exhaust gas as well as in carbohydrate, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide concentrations. The carbon dioxide concentrations were similar for biodiesel and diesel fuel. Slight increases in nitrogen oxides concentrations and brake-specific fuel consumption were found for AMEs. An engine can be fuelled with AME biodiesel, but it is necessary to improve its low-temperature properties.

This article presents the results of a study of the braking process in terms of assessing the longitudinal loading condition of transported cargo. The existing methods of securing cargo do not take into consideration the type of vehicle used to transport the cargo. This may result in cargo not being transported in compliance with the principles of proper cargo protection. This paper discusses the differences in maximum deceleration values achieved by different types of vehicles that are structurally suitable for freight transport. As a result of these differences in deceleration values, the values of forces acting on the transported cargo are also different. This paper presents and analyses the results of road tests that entailed the heavy braking of two vehicles structurally suitable for freight transport. One of them was a delivery vehicle, while the other was a semi-trailer truck. The experiment was carried out in six measurement series. Four of them were performed on an asphalt pavement, while the other two on a concrete pavement. One series included ten brake tests. Deceleration values registered during the tests were later used to determine the values of coefficient Cx, which were then compared with standardised values. It has been shown that failure to take into account in the selection process of cargo securing equipment, vehicle category, and type and condition of the pavement can result in cargo displacement and even traffic incidents.

Climate changes caused by the greenhouse effect make it necessary to look for new sources of energy. One of them is waste of a biological origin. They are often difficult to dispose of and such a process can be expensive. Increasingly, they are used to produce biofuels that can replace petroleum-based fuels. They are also an alternative to food-based biofuels. The aim of the work was to propose a method of using fatty waste generated in a plant dealing with tanning animal skins and to evaluate the properties of the produced biofuels. The authors decided to use this waste to produce biodiesel. A patented reactor and technology developed by one of the co-authors was used for this purpose. Two alcohols, butyl and methyl, were used to produce esters in the transesterification process. Animal fats butyl esters (AFBE) and animal fats methyl esters (AFME) have been produced. A high efficiency of the transesterification process was obtained. It amounted to 99.2 (wt.%) for AFME and 98.9 (wt.%) for AFBE. The physicochemical properties of AFBE and AFME biodiesels, diesel fuel, and mixtures of these biodiesels and diesel fuel were tested. Most of the tested properties of AFBE were more favourable than those of AFME. The produced AFBE in relation to AFME was characterized by better cetane number, heat of combustion and calorific value, density, dynamic viscosity, kinematic viscosity, and flash point. For example, the kinematic viscosity for AFBE was 3.6 mm²/s and for AFME 4.1 mm²/s. In contrast, the calorific value of AFBE biodiesel was 39.2 MJ/kg, and that of AFME biodiesel was 38.4 MJ/kg. The use of butanol from the point of view of the properties of the produced biodiesel turned out to be more advantageous in relation to methanol. Due to the fact that the production uses waste fat, the produced biodiesels can be regarded as second-generation biofuels. Producing biodiesel from waste is a way to utilize waste and is beneficial in terms of environmental protection. It can be a way to increase the share of biofuels in the energy balance of regions where large amounts of fat waste products of animal origin are available.

The imperative of utilising alternative fuels for the operation of internal combustion engines stems from the requirements to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases and other contaminants, the substantial demand for fuels, and the diminishing reserves of natural resources. The global inclination towards sustainable development necessitates the employment of biofuels as a substitute for fossil fuels. Nonetheless, the expenditures on raw materials for the manufacture of biodiesel remain substantial, thus underlining the importance of exploring solutions for reducing them. An instance of this could be the utilisation of plant and animal by-products, such as used frying oils and slaughterhouse waste, as feedstock for biodiesel production. Not only will this facilitate the creation of less costly biofuel, but it will also provide an effective solution for the management of post-production waste. The objective of the research delineated in this paper was to ascertain select physicochemical attributes of second-generation biodiesel, derived from spent frying oil, as well as mixtures of this biodiesel with diesel and biodiesel concentrations of 10, 20, and 30% (v/v). The biodiesel produced is the waste frying oil methyl esters WFOME. The proprietary GW-201 reactor was employed in the production of biodiesel. For WFOME biodiesel, DF diesel, and their blends—B10, B20, and B30—properties that influence the formation process of the combustible mixture, autoignition, and combustion of fuel–air mixtures in self-ignition engines were determined. The conducted research has established that “B” type fuels prepared from WFOME and DF present a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Pure biodiesel exhibited a marginally reduced lower heating value, however, in the case of fuel mixtures comprising up to 30% (v/v) biodiesel and diesel, the lower heating values approximated that of diesel. An elevated cetane number alongside an increased flash point of pure B100 biodiesel have been noted. The values of cetane number for WFOME and DF mixtures were found to be either comparable or marginally higher than those of pure DF diesel fuel.

Road transport is the primary source of atmospheric air pollution, thus posing a threat to human health and life. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of fuel obtained from plants on the ecological properties of a compression ignit...