Evaluation of engine performance and effect on material of engine hardware due to prolonged use of neat Jatropha oil and their blends in indirect injection diesel engines

Abstract

In present era of extensive requirement of energy for domestic, agricultural and industrial applications it is pertinent to search for the alternate fuel. There is lots of research going on in this direction. It has been reported that the Jatropha oil and blends of Jatropha oil with diesel is a potential source of such alternate fuel to produce energy. Whereas the use of such alternate fuel is examined, it is also equally important to study the effect of utilization of such fuel on engine hardware. In this research work the engine has been operated with Jatropha oil and the blend of Jatropha oil & diesel and endurance test has been carried out. It has been found that the injectors were getting choked under prolonged use when the Jatropha oil was used in large quantity. However the use of Jatropha oil to extent of 50% diesel did not exhibit such problem in injector. Also, the dimensional measurements were carried out before and after the test. It was observed that the wear on inner surface of cylinder was uneven and the traces of pitting of material took place. The pitting of material was observed on piston head and inner surface of cylinder head also. The metallic particles were observed during Tribological study through engine oil analysis.In this investigation five numbers of self governed indirect injection (IDI) diesel engines were used. The test fuel used were Diesel, 10%, 20%, 50% and 100% Jatropha oil . The long term engine endurance test as per IS: 10000 (part IX) – 1980 on five numbers of IDI diesel engines was carried out. The results of Tribological analysis (wear and tear) with 100% Jatropha oil showed comparatively less wear and tear over the entire range of endurance test. The brake thermal efficiency was observed maximum with diesel fuel and hence the specific fuel consumption was observed minimum. The overall emission characteristics were found to be best for the case of engine fuelled with diesel over the entire range of long term endurance test.