Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Diesel Engine Fuelled with Biodiesel extracted from Karanja Oil

Abstract

The depleting reserves of petroleum and environmental issues have led to the search for more environmental-friendly and renewable fuels. Biodiesel obtained from various renewable sources has been recognized as one of the alternative fuels due to its biodegradability, high cetane no, no sulphur emissions and low volatility. Biodiesel derived from non-edible feed stocks such as karanja oil are reported to be feasible choices for developing countries including India where consumption and cost of edible oil is very high. The aim of present work is to optimize the biodiesel production from karanja oil through transesterification process. The optimum conditions for maximum yield were obtained at molar ratio of 8:1 for acid esterification and 9:1 molar ratio for alkaline esterification, 0.5wt% catalyst KOH using mechanical stirrer. The various performance and emission parameters like brake power (BP), specific fuel consumption (SFC), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), CO emissions, CO2 emissions, HC emissions, NOx emissions were evaluated at different loads in a 4 stroke, single cylinder, water cooled, diesel engine. These performance and emission parameters of diesel fuel were compared with that of B10, B20, B30, B40 and B50. The performance parameters of B30 blend were similar to those of diesel. It was found that CO2, HC and CO emissions decreases as the blend content increases whereas the NOx emissions increases as the blend content increases.