Analysis of emission and performance characteristics of compression ignition engine using Mahua oil-based biodiesel

Abstract

In present work, Mahua oil-based bio-Diesel (MHD) has been extracted from the plants of Madhuca longifolia and tested its emission as well as performance characteristics using Compression Ignition (CI) engine test rig. Raw Mahua oil generally has fatty acid, it may cause maintenance problems in CI engine. Therefore, the transesterification process has been used to remove unwanted fatty acid. The transesterified Mahua oil has been added with diesel in the ratio of0%, 5%, 10% and 15% to prepare MHD. The nanoparticles of Cerium Oxide (Ce2O3) also have been added in prepared MHD (in 100 ppm proportion) as an additive to improve chemical reaction between the fuel and air inside the CI combustion chamber. The Constant speed diesel engine performance and emission characteristics of MHD have been analyzed for the different brake powers i.e. 1.15, 1.71, 2.29 and 2.75 kW. The analysis shows that the Carbon monoxide (CO), Hydro Carbon (HC) and smoke emissions decreases with increase in the blend however, the NOX emissions increases with increase in blend. The performance characteristic of the mahua biodiesel blend is very impressive compare to diesel. Even though, Mahua’s thermal efficiency is low and specific fuel consumption is good compare to diesel.