Comparative assessment of a biogas run dual fuel diesel engine with rice bran oil methyl ester,pongamia oil methyl ester and palm oil methyl ester as pilot fuels

The present study tries to explore the potential of three different types of biodiesel viz. Rice bran oil methyl ester (RBME), Pongamia oil methyl ester (PME) and Palm oil methyl ester (POME) as pilot fuels for a biogas run dual fuel diesel engine designed for power generation. The results indicated that under dual fuel mode, RBME-biogas produced a maximum brake thermal efficiency of 19.97% in comparison to 18.4% and 17.4% respectively for PME-biogas and POME-biogas at 100% load. The emission study divulged that under dual fuel mode, on an average, there was an increase of CO emission by 25.74% and 32.58% for PME-biogas and POME-biogas, respectively in comparison to RBME-biogas. Furthermore, on an average, the HC emissions for PME-biogas and POME-biogas increased by 11.73% and 16.27%, respectively in comparison to RBME-biogas. On the other hand, on an average, there was a decrease in NO_X emission by 5.8% and 14%, respectively for PME-biogas and POME-biogas respectively in comparison to RBME-biogas.     

Fuel properties and exhaust emissions of low blending rate soybean oil methyl esters blended with diesel fuel

The main properties and engine emissions of low blending rate soybean oil methyl ester blended with diesel from 5 to 30 wt% were compared and analyzed. The experimental results show that, compared with diesel fuel, with an increase in the soybean oil methyl ester percentage in the blends, distillation temperature at 50%, flash point, kinematic viscosity, specific gravity, gelatine content, carbon residue, acidity and ash increase while a cold filter plugging point, solidifying point and copper corrosion keep constant, sulfur content decreases, smoke density and HC decrease while NO_x emission increase, CO increases at 2,200 r/min but decreases at 3,400 r/min.     

Jojoba methyl ester as a diesel fuel substitute: Preparation and characterization

The aim of the present work is to prepare jojoba methyl ester (JME) as a diesel fuel substitute. This was carried out experimentally and its chemical and physical properties were determined. Esterification method is used to produce methyl ester from raw jojoba oil. This method is optimized to produce the highest amount of fuel using a minimum amount of methyl alcohol. To achieve the above aim, a test rig for fuel production was developed. To measure the JME burning velocity a constant volume bomb was developed. The bomb was fully instrumented with a piezoelectric pressure transducer, charge amplifier, digital storage oscilloscope, A/D converter and a personal computer.Several grades of fuel were produced but, two grades only were selected and tested as an economical alternative fuel. The chemical and physical properties of these grades of fuel are measured as well as the laminar burning velocity. It is found that JME liquid fuel exhibited lower burning velocities than iso-octane. The new fuel is found to be suitable for compression ignition engine particularly in the indirect-injection ones, while for direct-injection, and high-speed engines fuel modifications are required. The new fuel is safe, has no sulphur content and reduces the engine wear as well as lengthens the lifetime of lubricating oil.     

Multivariant approach to optimize biodiesel extraction from neem oil using two-stage esterification process and its quality assessment

Finding new biofuel resources and consolidating the preliminary findings on biodiesel extraction are important to optimize mass production. In this paper biodiesel is extracted from non-edible, abundantly available, potential, and viable neem oil. Design of Experiment is employed to optimize the process parameters of the two-stage esterification process. Methanol has the greatest influence in both stages, followed by choice of catalyst and duration. Standard test procedures were followed to ensure the adequacy of the fuel properties, and the results are encouraging in regard to using neem oil as a potentially renewable and sustainable biodiesel source.     

The effect of biodiesel fuel obtained from waste frying oil on direct injection diesel engine performance and exhaust emissions

In this study, usage of methyl ester obtained from waste frying oil (WFO) is examined as an experimental material. A reactor was designed and installed for production of methyl ester from this kind of oil. Physical and chemical properties of methyl ester were determined in the laboratory. The methyl ester was tested in a diesel engine with turbocharged, four cylinders and direct injection. Gathered results were compared with No. 2 diesel fuel. Engine tests results obtained with the aim of comparison from the measures of torque, power; specific fuel consumptions are nearly the same. In addition, amount of emission such as CO, CO₂, NO_x, and smoke darkness of waste frying oils are less than No. 2 diesel fuel.     

Synergetic effect OF CI engine characteristics when fuelled with neem oil methyl ester enriched with a oxy-hydrogen gas

The Neem-oil methyl ester (NME) produced from transesterification of Neem-oil was mixed with diesel fuel in the share of 10%(N10) and 20%(N20) were used with varying flow rate of oxy-hydrogen gas (HHO) gas at 5%,10% and 15% energy share along with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in a 3.7 kW CI engine. Presence of fuel-borne oxygen in NME, facilitates increase in brake thermal efficiency (BTE) at high load related to neat diesel operation. Further the BTE was improved by introducing varying flow rate of HHO gas in order to maintain energy share of 5, 10 and 15% at all loads. The BTE was found as 33.80% and 35.40% for N20 + 10%HHO and N20 + 15%HHO compared to 31.5%, 30.4% and 29.4% for N20, N10 and Neat diesel fuel respectively. Significant emission reduction of CO, CO₂, uHC and smoke opacity were observed during NME + HHO gas operation, but NOx emission was augmented which was controlled using EGR along with further improvement in the engine characteristics.     

Experimental investigations of a four-stroke single cylinder direct injection diesel engine operated on dual fuel mode with producer gas as inducted fuel and Honge oil and its methyl ester (HOME) as injected fuels

In order to meet the energy requirements, there has been growing interest in alternative fuels like biodiesels, methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, biogas, hydrogen and producer gas to provide a suitable diesel oil substitute for internal combustion engines. Vegetable oils present a very promising alternative to diesel oil since they are renewable and have similar properties. Vegetable oils offer almost the same power output with slightly lower thermal efficiency when used in diesel engine [Srivastava A, Prasad R. Triglycerides-based diesel fuels. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 2000;4:111–33. [1]; Vellguth G. Performance of vegetable oils and their monoesters as fuels for diesel engines. SAE 831358, 1983. [2]; Demirbas A. Biodiesel production from vegetable oils via catalytic and non-catalytic supercritical methanol transesterification methods. Int J Prog Energy Combust Sci 2005;31:466–87. [3]; Jajoo BN, Keoti RS. Evaluation of vegetable oils as supplementary fuels for diesel engines. In: Proceedings of the XV national conference on IC engines and combustion, Anna University Chennai, 1997. [4]; Altin R, Cetinkaya S, Yucesu HS. The potential of using vegetable oil fuels as fuel for diesel engines. Int J Energy Convers Manage 2000;42:529–38, 248. [5]; Gajendra Babu MK, Chandan Kumar Das LM. Experimental investigations on a Karanja oil methyl ester fuelled DI diesel engine. SAE 2006-01-0238, 2006. [6]; Agarwal D, Kumar Agarwal A. Performance and emission characteristics of a Jatropha oil (preheated and blends) in a direct injection compression ignition engine. Int J Appl Therm Eng 2007;27:2314–23. [7]]. Research in this direction with edible oils have yielded encouraging results, but their use as fuel for diesel engine has limited applications due to higher domestic requirement [Scholl Kyle W, Sorenson Spencer C. Combustion Analysis of soyabean oil methyl ester in a direct injection diesel engine. SAE 930934, 1993. [8]; Nwafor OMI. Effect of advanced injection timing on the performance of rapeseed oil in diesel engines. Int J Renew Energy 2000;21:433–44. [9]; Nwafor OMI. The effect of elevated fuel inlet temperature on performance of diesel engine running on neat vegetable oil at constant speed conditions. Renew Energy 2003;28:171–81. [10]]. In view of this, Honge oil (Pongamia Pinnata Linn) being non-edible oil could be regarded as an alternative fuel for CI engine applications. The viscosity of Honge oil is reduced by transesterification process to obtain Honge oil methyl ester (HOME).Gasification is a process in which solid biomass is converted into a mixture of combustible gases, which complete their combustion in an IC engine. Hence, producer gas can act as a promising alternative fuel, especially for diesel engines by substituting considerable amount of diesel fuels. Downdraft moving bed gasifiers coupled with IC engine are a good choice for moderate quantities of available biomass, up to 500 kW of electric power. Hence, bioderived gas and vegetable liquids appear more attractive in view of their friendly environmental nature. Since vegetable oils produce higher smoke emissions, dual fuel operation could be adopted for improving their performance.     

Performance and emissions of a diesel tractor engine fueled with marine diesel and soybean methyl ester

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that is cleaner than petrodiesel. Biodiesel can be used directly as fuel for a diesel engine without having to modify the engine system. It has the major advantages of having high biodegradability, excellent lubricity and no sulfur content. This paper presents the results of investigations carried out in studying the fuel properties of soybean methyl ester (SME) and its blend with marine diesel fuel from 5%, 20% and 50% blends by volume and in running a diesel engine with these fuels. The results indicate that the use of biodiesel produces lower smoke opacity (up to 74%), but higher brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) (up to 12%) compared to marine fuel (MF). The measured carbon monoxide (CO) emissions of B5 and B100 fuels were found to be 3% and 52% lower than that of the MF, respectively.     

Performance and exhaust emission characteristics of a CI engine fueled with Pongamia pinnata methyl ester (PPME) and its blends with diesel

Transport vehicles greatly pollute the environment through emissions such as CO, CO₂, NO_x, SO_x, unburnt or partially burnt HC and particulate emissions. Fossil fuels are the chief contributors to urban air pollution and major source of green house gases (GHGs) and considered to be the prime cause behind the global climate change. Biofuels are renewable, can supplement fossil fuels, reduce GHGs and mitigate their adverse effects on the climate resulting from global warming. This paper presents the results of performance and emission analyses carried out in an unmodified diesel engine fueled with Pongamia pinnata methyl ester (PPME) and its blends with diesel. Engine tests have been conducted to get the comparative measures of brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake specific energy consumption (BSEC) and emissions such as CO, CO₂, HC, NO_x to evaluate the behaviour of PPME and diesel in varying proportions. The results reveal that blends of PPME with diesel up to 40% by volume (B40) provide better engine performance (BSFC and BSEC) and improved emission characteristics.     

Direct injection diesel engine performance,emission, and combustion characteristics using diesel fuel,nonedible honne oil methyl ester,and blends with diesel fuel

Honne oil methyl ester (HOME) is produced from a nonedible vegetable oil, namely, honne oil, available abundantly in India. It has remained as an untapped new possible source of alternative fuel that can be used for diesel engines. The present research is aimed at investigating experimentally the performance, exhaust emission, and combustion characteristics of a direct injection diesel engine (single cylinder, water cooled) typically used in agricultural sector over the entire load range when fuelled with HOME and diesel fuel blends, HM20 (20% HOME + 80% diesel fuel)–HM100. The properties of these blends are found to be comparable with diesel fuel conforming to the American and European standards. The combustion parameters of HM20 are found to be slightly better than neat diesel (ND). For other blend ratios, these combustion parameters deviated compared with ND. The performance (brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake‐specific fuel consumption, and exhaust gas temperature) of HM20 is better than ND. For other blend ratios, BTE is inferior compared with ND. The emissions (CO and SO) of HM20–HM100, throughout the entire load range, are dropped significantly compared with ND. Unburned hydrocarbon emissions of HM20–HM40, throughout the entire load range, is slightly decreased, whereas for other blend ratios, it is increased compared with ND. NO_x emissions of HM20, throughout the entire load range, is slightly increased, whereas for other blend ratios, it is slightly decreased. The reductions in exhaust emissions together with increase in BTE made the blend HM20 a suitable alternative fuel for diesel fuel and thus could help in controlling air pollution. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A study on performance and exhaust emissions of the steam injected DI diesel engine running with different diesel- conola oil methyl ester blends

Although biodiesels have low emission profiles, the main drawback of using biodiesel in diesel engines is higher NOx. Nowadays, the electronic controlled steam injection is a promising method for NOx control. This study investigates the effects of steam injection with diesel fuel-canola oil methyl ester (COME) blends on the performance and emissions characteristics of a direct injection (DI) single cylinder diesel engine. Steam is injected into the inlet manifold during inlet period. The combustion of diesel-COME blends has been modeled using two zone combustion model. The results have been compared with each other in terms of performance and emissions. The maximum increments in engine torque and power were measured as 2.5% for 10% COME (B10) at 1200 rpm, 2.8% for 20% COME (B20) at 2200 rpm. The effects of steam injection on performance and emissions of the diesel engine running with B10 and B20 COME blends were also investigated. Satisfaction improvements have been obtained with the combination of steam injection and COME blends. The maximum torque of the engine running with B10 and 10% steam ratio combination (B10 + S10) and B20 and 10% steam ratio combinations (B20 + S10) were found as 2.4% at 1400 rpm and 0.6% at 1400 rpm, respectively. Significant reduction has been observed in NOx emission with B10-S10 combination. The reduction rate in NOx emissions were 22% with B10-S10 and 18% with B20-S10 at 1200 rpm. The study showed that steam injection is an effective tool for controlling NOx emissions without performance degradation in the diesel engines fueled with COME blends.     

Using of cotton oil soapstock biodiesel–diesel fuel blends as an alternative diesel fuel

In this study, usability of cotton oil soapstock biodiesel–diesel fuel blends as an alternative fuel for diesel engines were studied. Biodiesel was produced by reacting cotton oil soapstock with methyl alcohol at determined optimum condition. The cotton oil biodiesel–diesel fuel blends were tested in a single cylinder direct injection diesel engine. Engine performances and smoke value were measured at full load condition. Torque and power output of the engine with cotton oil soapstock biodiesel–diesel fuel blends decreased by 5.8% and 6.2%, respectively. Specific fuel consumption of engine with cotton oil soapstock–diesel fuel blends increased up to 10.5%. At maximum torque speeds, smoke level of engine with blend fuels decreased up to 46.6%, depending on the amount of biodiesel. These results were compared with diesel fuel values.     

Fuel properties of biodiesel from vegetable oils and oil mixtures. Influence of methyl esters distribution

In this work, the quality of biodiesel produced by basic transesterification from several vegetable oils (soybean, rapeseed, sunflower, high oleic sunflower, Cynara Cardunculus L., Brassica Carinata and Jatropha Curca) cultivated in Extremadura has been studied in detail. The influence of raw material composition on properties such as density, viscosity, cetane number, higher heating value, iodine and saponification values and cold filter plugging point has been verified. Other biodiesel properties such as acid value, water content and flash and combustion points were more dependent on characteristics of production process. Biodiesel produced by rapeseed, sunflower and high oleic sunflower oils transesterification have been biofuels with better properties according to Norm EN 14214. Finally, it has been tested that it is possible to use oils mixtures in biodiesel production in order to improve the biodiesel quality. In addition, with the same process conditions and knowing properties of biodiesel from pure oils; for biodiesel from oils mixtures, its methyl esters content, and therefore properties dependent this content can be predicted from a simple mathematical equation proposed in this work.     

Study on cottonseed oil as a partial substitute for diesel oil in fuel for single-cylinder diesel engine

The experiments were undertaken to obtain the knowledge necessary for raising the thermal efficiency of mixed oil composed of cottonseed oil and conventional diesel oil and for improving the performance of engine fuelled by the mixture. The experimental results obtained showed that a mixing ratio of 30% cottonseed oil and 70% diesel oil was practically optimal in ensuring relatively high thermal efficiency of engine, as well as homogeneity and stability of the oil mixture. A quadratic regressive orthogonal design test method was adopted in the experiment designed to examine the relationship between specific fuel consumption and four adjustable working parameters (intake-valve-closing angle (α), exhaust-valve-opening angle (β), fuel-delivery angle (θ) and injection pressure (P, in 10⁴ Pa)) when the above-mentioned oil mixture was used. The mathematical equations characterizing the relationship were formulated. The equation of specific fuel consumption derived from the regressive test under each operating condition was set as the objective function and the ranges for the four adjustable working parameters were the given constraint condition. Models of non-linear programming were then constructed. Computer-aided optimization of the working parameters for 30:70 cottonseed oil/diesel oil mixed fuel was achieved. It was concluded that the predominant factor affecting the specific fuel consumption was fuel-delivery angle θ, the approximate optimal value of which, in this specific case, was 3–5° in advance of that for engine fuelled by pure diesel oil. The experimental results also provided useful reference material for selection of the most preferable combination of working parameters.     

Comparative studies on fly ash coated low heat rejection diesel engine on performance and emission characteristics fueled by rice bran and pongamia methyl ester and their blend with diesel

In this study, for the first time, fly ash was used as a thermal barrier coating material in a diesel engine. The study consists of three phases. In first phase, biodiesel was prepared in a laboratory scale setup by single step base catalyzed transesterification method. In the second phase, engine combustion chamber elements such as cylinder head, cylinder liner, valves and piston crown face were coated with fly ash, which is a thermal power plant waste, to a thickness of 200 μm by using plasma spray coating method. In third phase, experiments were carried out on fly ash coated single cylinder diesel engine fueled by methyl ester of rice bran, pongamia oil and its blend (20% by volume) with diesel. The test run was repeated on uncoated engine under the same running conditions and the results were compared. An increase in engine power and decrease in specific fuel consumption, as well as significant improvements in exhaust gas emissions (except NOx) were observed for all test fuels used in the fly ash coated engine compared with that of the uncoated engine.     

Combustion of jojoba methyl ester in an indirect injection diesel engine

An experimental investigation has been carried out to examine for the first time the performance and combustion noise of an indirect injection diesel engine running with new fuel derived from pure jojoba oil, jojoba methyl ester, and its blends with gas oil. A Ricardo E6 compression swirl diesel engine was fully instrumented for the measurement of combustion pressure and its rise rate and other operating parameters. Test parameters included the percentage of jojoba methyl ester in the blend, engine speed, load, injection timing and engine compression ratio. Results showed that the new fuel derived from jojoba is generally comparable and good replacement to gas oil in diesel engine at most engine operating conditions, in terms of performance parameters and combustion noise produced.     

Engine's behaviour on magnetite nanoparticles as additive and hydrogen addition of chicken fat methyl ester fuelled DICI engine: A dual fuel approach

The present work evaluated the influence of magnetite nanoparticles in chicken fat methyl-ester blend (CFME20) and hydrogen induction in CFME20 nano-fuels combustion performance and exhaust emissions using a 1-cylinder dual DICI engine. Results revealed that CFME20 blend exhibits a significant reduction in smoke, hydrocarbon, and carbon-monoxide emissions; however, increment in oxides of nitrogen and insignificant reduction in BTE also noted. Magnetite nanoparticles mixed with CFME20 through ultrasonication to make nano-additive fuel which noticeably decreased the exhaust emissions including oxides of nitrogen and slightly enhanced the BTE as well. Performance parameters gradually enhanced with escalating nanoparticles dosage up to 100 ppm. Hydrogen induction during nano-additive pilot fuel combustion further decreased the smoke, carbon-monoxide, and hydrocarbon emissions and enhanced the BTE to an appreciable level. However, oxides of nitrogen also enhanced with increasing hydrogen flow rate, but for 10 lpm trivial increased. Hence, the results confirmed that nano-fuel (100 ppm) with hydrogen (10 lpm) addition provides optimum outcomes.     

Experimental and computational investigations of a compact steam reformer for fuel oil and diesel fuel

The present work describes the optimisation of a compact steam reformer for light fuel oil and diesel fuel. The reformer is based upon a catalytically coated micro heat exchanger that thermally couples the reforming reaction with a catalytic combustion. Since the reforming process is sensitive to reaction temperatures and internal flow patterns, the reformer was modelled using a commercial CFD code in order to optimise its geometry. Fluid flow, heat transfer and chemical reactions were considered on both sides of the heat exchanger. The model was successfully validated with experimental data from reformer tests with 4 kW, 6 kW and 10 kW thermal inputs of light fuel oil. In further simulations the model was applied to investigate parallel flow, counter flow and cross flow conditions along with inlet geometry variations for the reformer. The experimental results show that the reformer design allows inlet temperatures below 773 K because of its internal superheating capability. The simulation results indicate that two parallel flow configurations provide fast superheating and high fuel conversion rates. The temperature increase inside the reactor is influenced by the inlet geometry on the combustion side.     

Characterization and transesterification of Iranian bitter almond oil for biodiesel production

In the present work the production of biodiesel using bitter almond oil (BAO) in a potassium hydroxide catalyzed transesterification reaction was investigated. The BAO was obtained from resources available in Iran and its physical and chemical properties including iodine value, acid value, density, kinematic viscosity, fatty acid composition and mean molecular weight were specified. The low acid value of BAO (0.24 mg KOH/g) indicated that the pretreatment of raw oil with acid was not required. The fatty acid content analysis confirmed that the contribution of unsaturated fatty acids in the BAO is high (84.7 wt.%). Effect of different parameters including methanol to oil molar ratio (3–11 mol/mol), potassium hydroxide concentration (0.1–1.7% w/w) and reaction temperature (30–70 °C) on the production of biodiesel were investigated. The results indicated that these parameters were important factors affecting the tranesterification reaction. The fuel properties of biodiesel including iodine value, acid value, density, kinematic viscosity, saponification value, cetane number, flash point, cloud point, pour point and distillation characteristics were measured. The properties were compared with those of petroleum diesel, EN 14214 and ASTM 6751 biodiesel standards and an acceptable agreement was observed.