Performance and Emission Parameters of an LHR Engine Run on Jatropha Biodiesel and its Diesel blend.

Abstract

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Biodiesel is a renewable fuel which can be obtained from transesterification of vegetable oils, animal fat, and algae. Edible and non-edible oils can be used as feedstock for biodiesel production. It is considered to be a potential renewable fuel for compression ignition (CI) engines. It can be used as a sole fuel or in a blended form with diesel. In India, research work is focused on the utilization of non-edible oils for biodiesel production. Particularly rigorous research works have been carried out on the use of biodiesel obtained from Jatropha Curcas, Madhuca Indica, Pongamia Pinnata, Karanja etc. The thermal efficiency of CI engines run on Jatropha biodiesel or its blends is less than 40%. Heat loss through cooling water, exhaust, and unaccounted losses are the reasons for lower thermal efficiency. Reduction of heat loss from CI engines shall increase the thermal efficiency of the engine. In this aspect, low heat rejection (LHR) engines offer increased thermal efficiency and reduced particulate emissions. In this experimental research work, an attempt was made to use Jatropha biodiesel (JME) and its 20% diesel blend (JME20) in an LHR engine. For this purpose, a single cylinder, four stroke, air cooled, direct injection (DI) diesel engine developing a power output of 4.4kW at a constant speed of 1500 rpm was converted into LHR engine. The piston crown of the test engine was coated with YSZ+ Cerium Oxide (CeO₂) using plasma spray coating technique. The original injection timing, nozzle opening pressure and compression ratio of the test engine are 23^obTDC, 200bar and 17.5 respectively. For the investigation, the injection timing, nozzle opening pressure and compression ratio were set at optimized conditions for JME which were 24.5^obTDC, 220 bar and 17.5 respectively. The performance and emission parameters of the LHR engine run on JME20 and JME were assessed and compared with those of the JME and conventional diesel operation at a different power output.</div></div>