Performance characteristics of palm kernel biodiesel and its blend in a CI engine

The full load performance characteristics of a diesel engine fuelled with palm kernel biodiesel and its blend with diesel fuel are presented in this paper. The biodiesel was synthesised from Nigerian palm kernel oil through a direct base catalysed transesterification process using sodium hydroxide and methanol as the catalyst and alcohol, respectively. The produced biodiesel was blended with neat diesel fuel at a ratio of 20% biodiesel to 80% diesel by volume. The engine torque, brake power, brake specific fuel consumption and brake mean effective pressure were determined for each of the fuels at 400 rpm intervals between 1200 and 3600 rpm. In other to establish a baseline for comparison, the engine was first run on neat diesel. The test results interestingly revealed that the fuel blend (B20) produced higher torque at low and medium engine speeds than neat diesel fuel and unblended biodiesel (B100). This suggests that it can be a suitable fuel for heavy duty engines that are required to develop high torque at low engine speeds. It was also observed that diesel fuel developed higher torque and brake power than the unblended biodiesel (B100) at all tested speeds and showed the least brake specific fuel consumption possibly because of its higher heating value. In all, the palm kernel biodiesel and its blend (B20) exhibited performance characteristic trends very similar to that of diesel fuel thus confirming them as suitable alternative fuels for compression ignition engines.     

A comparative study of B10 biodiesel blends and its performance and combustion characteristics

The current work is to investigate the diesel engine performance and combustion characteristics fuelled with Banalities aegyptiaca (BA) biodiesel and compare those with the performance and combustion characteristics of palm biodiesel, sesame biodiesel,rapeseed biodiesel, soybean biodiesel and diesel fuel. In this study, only 10% of each biodiesel (BA10, PALM10, SESAME10, RAPESEED10 and SOYBEAN10) was tested in a diesel engine. The physical properties of all the fuel samples are mentioned and compared with ASTM standards. The test rig consists of a single cylinder, auxiliary water-cooled and computer-based variable compression ratio diesel engine, which was used to evaluate their performance at a measured torque. All biodiesel fuel samples reduce brake power and brake thermal efficiency and increase brake-specific fuel consumption rate than diesel fuel. Combustion characteristics results indicated that the blended fuel samples performed with a significant reduction in terms of cylinder pressure and heat release rate compared with diesel fuel apart from diesel pressure. Among the biodiesel-blended fuel samples, BA10 showed better performance in terms of brake power, brake-specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency and cylinder pressure and heat release rate in terms of combustion characteristics compared with D100.     

Experimental investigation of performance,combustion and emission characteristics of CI engine fuelled with chicha oil biodiesel

As the decreasing availability of the fossil fuel is rising day by day, the search of alternate fuel that can be used as a substitute to the conventional fuels is rising rapidly. A new type of biofuel, chicha oil biodiesel, is introduced in this work for the purpose of fuelling diesel engine. Chicha oil was transesterified with methanol using potassium hydroxide as catalyst to obtain chicha oil methyl ester (COME). The calorific value of this biodiesel is lower, when compared to that of diesel. The COME and their blends of 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% with diesel were tested in a single cylinder, four stroke, direct injection diesel engine and the performance, combustion and emission results were compared with diesel. The test result indicates that there is a slight increase in brake thermal efficiency and decrease in brake-specific fuel consumption for all blended fuels when compared to that of diesel fuel. The use of biodiesel resulted in lower emissions of CO and HC and increased emissions of CO₂ and NO_x. The experimental results proved that the use of biodiesel (produced from chicha oil) in compression ignition engine is a viable alternative to diesel.     

Parametric optimisation of exergy destruction in small DI diesel engine fuelled with neem biodiesel using the Taguchi method

ABSTRACT

Large amount of emissions from vehicles have led to the degradation of urban air quality and have resulted in serious health issues. Biodiesel, a substitute fuel for diesel engine, is receiving great attention worldwide. This work investigates the merits of using neem-biodiesel and diesel blends for single cylinder small direct injection diesel engine. The energy (the first law) and exergy (the second law) analyses of direct injection diesel engine using neem-biodiesel blends have been presented. Taguchi’s ‘L’ 16’ orthogonal array has been used for the design of experiments. The engine was tested at different engine speeds, load percentages and blend ratios, using neem biodiesel. The results show that the optimum operating conditions for minimum brake specific fuel consumption are achieved when the engine speed is 1900?rev/min, load percentage is 75 and the engine is fuelled with B40.     

Performance analysis of low heat rejection diesel engine,using Mahua oil bio fuel

In the present investigation, the effect of thermal barrier coated piston on the performance and emission characteristics of mahua-biodiesel-fuelled diesel engine was studied and compared with those of neat diesel fuel. The piston, cylinder walls and the valves of the engine were coated with 0.25?mm thickness of Al₂O₃ material without affecting the compression ratio of the engine. Experiments were conducted using diesel and biodiesel blend (B20) in the engine with and without coating. The results revealed that specific fuel consumption was decreased by 8.5% and the brake thermal efficiency was increased by 6.2% for biodiesel blend with coated engine compared with the base engine with neat diesel fuel. The exhaust emissions CO, NO_x and HC emissions were also decreased for biodiesel blend with coated engine compared with base engine.     

Performance,emission and combustion characteristics of an Indica diesel engine operated with Yellow Oleander (Thevetia peruviana) oil biodiesel produced through hydrodynamic cavitation method

The present work deals about the performance, emission and combustion characteristics of a four-cylinder, direct injection, water-cooled, Indica diesel engine fuelled with biodiesel produced through the hydrodynamic cavitation method from an underutilised and potential feedstock Yellow Oleander (Thevetia peruviana) oil. Engine tests were performed with neat diesel and biodiesel blends of 10%, 20% and 30% from Yellow Oleander oil at different engine speeds. Experimental results showed that biodiesel produced through the hydrodynamic cavitation technique with a 1%?w/w catalyst percentage, 6:1?molar ratio and 35?min reaction time was equal to 97.5%. During engine performance tests, biodiesel blends showed higher brake-specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency (for lower blends up to 20%) and exhaust gas temperature than diesel fuel. Engine emissions showed higher nitrogen oxide, but a decreased amount of smoke opacity, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbon and favourable p–θ diagram as compared to diesel.     

A comparative study of performance and combustion characteristics of a CI diesel engine fuelled with B20 biodiesel blends

This paper aims to study the diesel engine performance and combustion characteristics fuelled with Banalities aegyptiaca oil methyl ester, palm oil methyl ester, sesame methyl ester oil, rapeseed methyl ester oil, soybean oil methyl ester and diesel fuel. In this present work, only 20% of each biodiesel blends was tested in diesel engine; stated that the possible use of biodiesel of up to 20% in a diesel engine without modification in literature. A single-cylinder, auxiliary water-cooled and computer-based variable compression ratio diesel engine was used to evaluate their performance at constant speed and at measured load conditions. The performance and combustion tests are conducted using each of the above test fuels, at a constant speed of 5000?rpm. Thus, the varying physical and chemical properties of test fuels against pure diesel are optimised for better engine performance.

Abbreviations: BP: brake power; BSFC: brake-specific fuel consumption; BTE: brake thermal efficiency; CO: carbon monoxide; CP: cylinder pressure; DP: diesel pressure; EGT: exhaust gas temperature; HC: hydrocarbon; HRR: heat release rate; NO _x : nitric oxides; PM: particulate matter; TDC: top dead centre; VCR: variable compression ratio     

Experimental investigation on regulated and unregulated emissions of a diesel engine fueled with ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel blended with biodiesel from waste cooking oil

Experiments were conducted on a 4-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine using ultra-low sulfur diesel, bi oesel and their blends, to investigate the regulated and unregulated emissions of the engine under five engine loads at an engine speed of 1800 rev/min. Blended fuels containing 19.6%, 39.4%, 59.4% and 79.6% by volume of biodiesel, corresponding to 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% by mass of oxygen in the blended fuel, were used. Biodiesel used in this study was converted from waste cooking oil.The following results are obtained with an increase of biodiesel in the fuel. The brake specific fuel consumption and the brake thermal efficiency increase. The HC and CO emissions decrease while NO_x and NO₂ emissions increase. The smoke opacity and particulate mass concentrations reduce significantly at high engine load. In addition, for submicron particles, the geometry mean diameter of the particles becomes smaller while the total number concentration increases. For the unregulated gaseous emissions, generally, the emissions of formaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, toluene, xylene decrease, however, acetaldehyde and benzene emissions increase.The results indicate that the combination of ultra-low sulfur diesel and biodiesel from waste cooking oil gives similar results to those in the literature using higher sulfur diesel fuels and biodiesel from other sources.     

Performance and emission characteristics of cashew nut shell oil on the CI engine

This article is an effort to address the need for a non-cooking oil-based biodiesel. Here, the experimental work is done on a single cylinder, direct injection CI engine using cashew nut shell oil biodiesel blends under constant speed. The cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) biodiesel is blended with the diesel fuel and used as biodiesel blend. Blends used for testing are B20, B40 and B60. The effect of the fuels on engine power, brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and exhaust gas temperature was determined by performance tests. The influences of blends on CO, CO₂, HC and NO_x emissions were investigated by emission tests. The BTE values of biodiesel are closer to diesel. Compared to diesel, all the biodiesel blends gave lesser unburnt hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke emissions. Slightly higher NO_x emissions were found in CNSL biodiesel blends, which is typical of the other biodiesels.     

A neural network model for the prediction of compression ignition engine performance at different injection timings

Rapid depletion of fossil fuel and continuous increase in gasoline prices have stimulated the search of alternative fuels. This paper deals with the prediction of engine performance, emission and combustion characteristics of compression ignition engine fuelled with fish oil biodiesel using artificial neural network (ANN). Experimental investigations are carried out in a single cylinder constant speed direct injection diesel engine under variable load conditions at different injection timings?21⁰, 24⁰ and 27⁰ bTDC. The performance, combustion and emission characteristics are measured using an exhaust gas analyser, smoke meter, piezoelectric pressure transducer and crank angle encoder for different fuel blends and engine load conditions. For training the neural network, feed-forward back propagation algorithm is used. The developed ANN model predicts the performance, combustions and exhaust emissions with a correlation coefficients (R) of 0.97–0.99 and a mean relative error of 0.62–4.826%. The root mean square errors are found to be low. The developed model has found to predict accurately the engine performance, combustion and emission parameters at different injection timings.     

Evaporation rate and engine performance analysis of coated diesel engine using Raphanus sativus biodiesel and its diesel blends

An experimental investigation to measure the evaporation rates, PSZ-coated engine performance and emissions of radish biodiesel (Methyl Ester of radish oil) and its blends in different volumetric proportions with diesel is presented. The thermo-physical properties of all the fuel blends have been measured and presented. Evaporation rates of neat radish biodiesel, neat diesel and their bends have been measured under slow convective environment of air velocity of 0.2?m/s with a constant temperature of 200°C. Evaporation constants have been determined by using the droplet regression rate data. The neat fuels and fuel blends have been utilised in a test engine with different load conditions to evaluate the performance and emission characteristics of the fuels. From the observed evaporation, performance and emissions characteristics, it can be suggested that a blend of B25–B75 could be optimally used in coated diesel engine settings without any modifications on it.     

Bio-ethanol additive effect on direct injection diesel engine performance,emission and combustion characteristics – an experimental examination

ABSTRACT

The present investigation explores the effect of dairy scum oil methyl ester (DSOME) blends and ethanol additive on TV1 Kirloskar diesel engine performance, combustion and emission characteristics. From the experimental study, it is concluded that DSOME-B20 (20% dairy scum biodiesel?+?80% diesel) has shown appreciable performance and lower HC and CO emissions among all other blends. Hence DSOME-B20 is optimised as best fuel blend and it is carried for further investigations to study the effect of bio-ethanol additive on diesel engine performance. From the study it apparent that diesel engine operated with ethanol additive and 20% dairy scum biodiesel blended fuels shown the satisfactorily improved emission characteristics when compared to petroleum diesel fuel operation. Finally, from the experimental investigation, it concludes that addition of ethanol shown the slightly higher HC, CO emission and improved BTE, BSFC, NOx and CO₂ than sole B20 biodiesel blend. Among all three (3%, 6% and 9%) ethanol additive ratios, E6% (6%-ethanol with B20) ethanol additive exhibits slightly better BTE, BSFC, cylinder pressure and heat release rate hence 6% ethanol additive with B20 biodiesel blend would furnish beneficial effects in the diesel engine.     

Biodiesel emissions profile in modern diesel vehicles. Part 1: Effect of biodiesel origin on the criteria emissions

This paper presents the regulated emissions profile of a Euro 4 compliant common rail passenger car, fuelled with low concentration biodiesel blends. Four biodiesels of different origin and quality blended with a typical automotive diesel fuel at proportions of 10, 20, and 30% v/v. Emission and fuel consumption measurements were conducted on a chassis dynamometer with constant volume sampling (CVS) technique, over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) and the real traffic-based Artemis driving cycles. Limited effects were observed on CO₂ emissions, while fuel consumption marginally increased with biodiesel. PM, HC and CO emissions improved with the addition of biodiesel, with some exceptions. Some increases with biodiesel were observed over the NEDC, as a consequence of biodiesel characteristics and engine conditions. NO_x emissions were increased with the use of biodiesel blends and positively correlated with fuel unsaturation levels.     

The combined effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and exhaust gas recirculation on the performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine

The present experimental investigation focuses on the combined effects of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) of a diesel engine fuelled with Calophyllum inophyllum biodiesel blends. The C. inophyllum biodiesel-diesel blend was prepared in a proportion of 20% biodiesel and 80% diesel (B20) by a volumetric basis with a magnetic stirrer. The MWCNTs (in the mass fraction of 40?ppm) were dispersed into the B20 fuel with the help of an ultrasonicator. The results show that brake thermal efficiency increases by 7.6% with the addition of MWCNTs to the B20 fuel, decreases by 2.42% with the EGR to the B20 fuel, and increases by 2.26% with the addition of MWCNTs and EGR to the B20 fuel compared to the B20 fuel. The maximum cylinder pressure and heat release rate was occurred as 67.35 bar and 74.80?kJ/m³ deg for the B20MWCNT40 fuel at full load condition. The CO and HC emissions for the B20MWCNT40+20%EGR fuel sample were lower compared to the B20 fuel. The Smoke emissions were reduced for B20MWCNT40 fuel compared to the B20 fuel. The NO_x emissions were reduced by 25.6%, 29.7% for B20+20%EGR, B20MWCNT40+20%EGR fuel samples compared to the B20 fuel.     

Experimental investigations on the influence of properties of Calophyllum inophyllum biodiesel on performance,combustion, and emission characteristics of a DI diesel engine

The current state of future energy and environmental crises has revitalised the need to find alternative sources of energy due to escalating oil prices and depleting oil reserves. To meet increasing energy requirements, there has been a growing interest in alternative fuels like biodiesel that can become a suitable diesel fuel substitute for compression ignition engine. Biodiesel offers a very promising alternative to diesel fuel, since they are renewable and have similar properties. Calophyllum inophyllum seed oil collected from different restaurants in the Nagapattinam region of South India was converted into methyl esters (biodiesel) by transesterification. Biodiesel produced from C. inophyllum oil was blended with diesel by different volume proportions (25%, 50%, and 75%). Biodiesel and its blends were tested on a direct injection (DI) diesel engine at a constant speed by varying loads from 0% to 100% in steps of 20% to analyse its performance, emission, and combustion characteristics. The results obtained were compared with that of diesel fuel. B25 (27.5%) showed better performance than diesel fuel (26.28%) at full load and B50 showed performances similar to diesel fuel. Smoke density of B25 was slightly (2.6%) higher than that of diesel at full load conditions. At full load, measured carbon monoxide emissions for B25 and B50 were 4% lower than that of diesel. Hydrocarbon emissions for B25 and B100 were 5.37% and 25.8% higher than that of diesel, respectively. Nitrogen oxides (NO_x) emission was lower for all biodiesel blends. NO_x emissions of B100 and B75 were lower than that of diesel by 22.16% and 13.29% at full load, respectively. Combustion profile was smoother, and no knocking problem was observed while operating with biodiesel blends. B75 produced peak cylinder pressure.     

Effect of injection pressure on the performance and emission characteristics of CI engine using canola emulsion fuel

Biodiesel is a promising renewable alternative fuel for diesel. The need of biodiesel fuels for the diesel engines is to restrict the dependency on the fossil fuels in context to the world energy oil crisis. The objective of this article is to investigate the performance and emission characteristics of a CI engine with diesel and blends of canola biodiesel Emulsion at 200, 220 and 240?bar. The fuel injection system in a diesel engine is to achieve a high degree of atomisation for better penetration of fuel in order to utilise the full air charge and to promote the evaporation in a very short time and to achieve higher combustion efficiency. Emulsified fuels showed an improvement in brake thermal efficiency of 28.8% at 240?bar accompanied by the drastic reduction in NOx at 200?bar.     

Combustion characteristics of the direct injection diesel engine fuelled with corn oil methyl ester

Petroleum-based fuels is a finite resource that is rapidly depleting. Consequently, petroleum reserves are not sufficient enough to last many years. In this research, an experimental investigation has been performed to give insight into the potential of biodiesel as an alternative fuel for direct injection (DI) diesel engines. The experimental work has been carried out to estimate the combustion characteristics of a single-cylinder, four-stroke, DI diesel engine fuelled with corn oil methyl ester (COME) and diesel blends. The COME was preheated to temperatures namely 50°C, 70°C and 90°C before it was supplied to the engine. The optimised preheated temperature of 70°C was chosen based on the higher brake thermal efficiency and lower specific fuel consumption. The performance, emission and combustion characteristics are evaluated by running the engine with COME and diesel blends at this preheated temperature. In this paper, the combustion characteristics are only discussed. The combustion characteristics such as ignition delay, maximum rate of pressure, heat release rate, cumulative heat release rate, mass fraction burned and combustion duration of COME methyl ester and diesel were evaluated and compared with neat diesel. The rate of pressure rise and maximum combustion pressure inside the cylinder were high for COME blends compared with neat diesel. The heat release rate of diesel is higher compared with COME blends. The ignition delay and combustion duration are decreased for COME blends compared with neat diesel. The cumulative heat release rate and mass fraction burnt of COME blends are higher than neat diesel.     

Emissions characteristics of a diesel engine operating on biodiesel and biodiesel blended with ethanol and methanol

Euro V diesel fuel, pure biodiesel and biodiesel blended with 5%, 10% and 15% of ethanol or methanol were tested on a 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated direct-injection diesel engine. Experiments were conducted under five engine loads at a steady speed of 1800 r/min. The study aims to investigate the effects of the blended fuels on reducing NO_x and particulate. On the whole, compared with Euro V diesel fuel, the blended fuels could lead to reduction of both NO_x and PM of a diesel engine, with the biodiesel-methanol blends being more effective than the biodiesel-ethanol blends. The effectiveness of NO_x and particulate reductions is more effective with increase of alcohol in the blends. With high percentage of alcohol in the blends, the HC, CO emissions could increase and the brake thermal efficiency might be slightly reduced but the use of 5% blends could reduce the HC and CO emissions as well. With the diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), the HC, CO and particulate emissions can be further reduced.     

Performance and emission characteristics of direct injection diesel engine using linseed oil as biodiesel by varying injection timing

The depletion of fossil fuels and increasing demand leads to research in alternate fuels. The alternate fuels are bio-degradable, renewable and non-toxic. Many types of oils are re-used in biodiesel production, considering their availability, among which linseed oil is the most significant one. Injection timing plays a major role among various injection parameters which affects its performance and emission characteristics. This paper focuses on experimental investigation on a single cylinder, four-stroke direct injection diesel engine with output of 5.2?kW at 1500?rpm at various injection timings, 20, 23, 26 degree BTDC for observing the performance and emission characteristics of direct injection diesel engine using methyl esters of linseed oil and its blends. The blends are B10, B20, and fuel characteristics are observed. The results show that when compared with diesel it gives an increase in BTHE and reduction in SFC. Both the biodiesel blends give lesser NOx. Slightly higher CO and HC emission were found. The performance and emissions were increased in when injection increased.     

Experimental study on particulate and NOx emissions of a diesel engine fueled with ultra low sulfur diesel, RME-diesel blends and PME-diesel blends

Ultra low sulfur diesel and two different kinds of biodiesel fuels blended with baseline diesel fuel in 5% and 20% v/v were tested in a Cummins 4BTA direct injection diesel engine, with a turbocharger and an intercooler. Experiments were conducted under five engine loads at two steady speeds (1500 rpm and 2500 rpm). The study aims at investigating the engine performance, NO_x emission, smoke opacity, PM composition, PM size distribution and comparing the impacts of low sulfur content of biodiesel with ULSD on the particulate emission. The results indicate that, compared to base diesel fuel, the increase of biodiesel in blends could cause certain increase in both brake specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency. Compared with baseline diesel fuel, the biodiesel blends bring about more NO_x emissions. With the proportion of biodiesel increase in blends, the smoke opacity decreases, while total particle number concentration increases. Meanwhile the ULSD gives lower NO_x emissions, smoke opacity and total number concentration than those of baseline diesel fuel. In addition, the percentages of SOF and sulfate in particulates increase with biodiesel in blends, while the dry soot friction decreases obviously. Compared with baseline diesel fuel, the biodiesel blends increase the total nucleation number concentration, while ULSD reduces the total nucleation number concentration effectively, although they all have lower sulfur content. It means that, for ULSD, the lower sulfur content is the dominant factor for suppressing nucleation particles formation, while for biodiesel blends, lower volatile, lower aromatic content and higher oxygen content of biodiesel are key factors for improving the nucleation particles formation. The results demonstrate that the higher NO_x emission and total nucleation number concentration are considered as the big obstacles of the application of biodiesel in diesel engine.