Investigation on a diesel engine fueled with hydrogen-compressed natural gas and Kusum seed biodiesel: Performance,combustion, and emission approach

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of a compression-ignition engine using hydrogen-compressed natural gas (HCNG)-enriched Kusum seed biodiesel blend (KSOBD20). The flow rate of HCNG was set at 5, 10, and 15 liters per minute (lpm), and the injection pressure was varied in the range of 180–240 bar. Brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) were improved when HCNG was added to the KSOBD20. Combustion characteristics, namely, cylinder pressure (CP) and net heat release rate (NHRR), were also improved. Emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and smoke were also reduced, with the exception of nitrogen oxides (NO_x). The higher injection pressure (240 bar) had a positive effect on operating characteristics. At an injection pressure of 240 bar, for KSOB20 + 15 lpm HCNG, the highest BTE and the lowest BSFC were found to be 32.09% and 0.227 kg/kWh, respectively. Also, the CP and NHRR were 69.34 bar and 66.04 J/deg. CO, HC, and smoke levels were finally reduced to 0.013%, 47 ppm, and 9%, respectively, with increased NO_x levels of 1623 ppm. For optimum results in terms of engine characteristics, the fuel combination KSOBD20 + 15 lpm HCNG at fuel injection pressure 240 bar is recommended. Thus, HCNG-enriched KSOBD20 can be used as an alternative fuel in diesel engines without requiring any modifications to increase performance and reduce emissions.