Effect of design parameters on performance and emissions of DI diesel engine running on biodiesel-diesel blends: Taguchi and utility theory

Abstract

In the present context, the use of fossil fuels is rising rapidly, leading to a further rise in the level of air pollution. Due to all these environmental challenges, there is a need for some innovative cleaner and environmentally viable fuels. Keeping all these parameters in mind, there is a need for an alternative to fulfill this gap. The present study focused on the optimization of a diesel engine operating parameters fuelled with pongamia biodiesel blend at full load. The optimization was carried out for different input parameters including pongamia biodiesel blends (0–40%), fuel injection timing (15–31) °bTDC, and fuel injection pressure (16–24) MPa. Initially, Taguchi was applied, and then it was processed with utility theory. An experiment was performed according to the combination of Taguchi and utility theory optimization techniques. Further, optimum combination for engine input parameters (Pongamia biodiesel blending, Fuel injection pressure, and Injection timing) to achieve best engine responses (BTE, UHC, NOx, and Smoke). The blending of pongamia biodiesel (10%) with injection timing 23°bTDC and injection pressure 22 MPa found the best input engine setting at full engine load. These optimization results were verified by engine experimentation within the suggested error range.