CFD analysis of biodiesel blends and combustion using Ansys Fluent

Abstract

Automobile sector heavily relies on burning of fossil fuels to meet its energy requirements. This continuous burning of fossil fuels generates harmful emissions which are hazardous for both environment and human being. To stare down these emissions levels, appropriate methods of emission reduction or a sustainable replacement to fossil fuels are desiderating of the current situation. An alternate solution to the stated concern is biodiesel, which is non-toxic, biodegradable, and renewable by its nature. Another advantage, where little or no modification to present compression ignition (CI) engines is boon for utilizing biodiesel. Biodiesel originates from organic matter, from animals and plants, via — a chemical process called transesterification. During the process, methyl or ethyl ester (biodiesel) are refined from animal fat or vegetable oil with other useful products like glycerin. The pure form of biodiesel, which is abbreviated as ‘BXX’- B100 (pure biodiesel), while blended with petroleum diesel in proportion are B2-2% biodiesel, B5-5% biodiesel, and B20-20% biodiesel. Biodiesel produced from plant origin like non-edible grade oil from Jatropha plant has promising potential as blending fuel. It has an economic aspect too, as blended petroleum products or pure biodiesel reduces the dependency of foreign petroleum imported by countries like India. This article is about CFD based combustion analysis of biodiesel fuel using Ansys Fluent© and matched with the combustion of diesel fuel. Parameters like the temperature of combustion at various blend ratios of B0-B100 varies from 2100 K to 1100 K are recorded through contour plots. Results are compared with diesel fuel, and an appropriate blend ratio is given for biodiesel for having for maximum efficiency and the least emission in applications.