Experimental Investigation of Four Stroke Diesel Engine Performance Using Neem Oil and Neem Oil with Hydrogen as a Fuel

Abstract

Depletion of fossil fuels, unaffordability of conventional fuels (petrol, diesel) and atmospheric pollution lead researchers to develop alternative fuels. Fuels derived from renewable biological resources used in diesel engines are known as biodiesel. Biodiesel is environmental friendly liquid fuel similar to petrol and diesel in combustion properties. Increasing environmental concern, diminishing petroleum reserves and agriculture based economy of our country are the driving forces to promote biodiesel as an alternate fuel. Hydrogen seems to be viable fuel to meet sustainable energy demand with minimum environmental impact. Hydrogen has high calorific value and clean burning characteristics which makes it effective fuel for future. It was found that hydrogen usage reduce emissions such as CO2 and HC. India is one of the largest producers of neem oil and its seed contains 30% oil content. It is an untapped source in India, so the neem oil usage will be a best option. The investigation made on pure neem oil and neem oil with hydrogen addition at different flow rate (2 lpm & 4 lpm) in CI engines. The result shows that, brake thermal efficiency of neem oil with 4 lpm hydrogen was increased to 7.98% compare to pure neem oil at 4 Nm torque and fuel consumption of neem oil with 4 lpm hydrogen was decreased to 13.49% compared to pure neem oil at 4 Nm torque.