Experimental Investigation of Single Cylinder Direct Injection CI Engine Performance Using Biofuels

Abstract

This paper presents the results of investigations carried out on a single cylinder direct injection engine operating on diesel fuel, Methyl esters of Honge and Jatropha Curcas Oil. Optimum parameters for Honge and Jatropha Curcas oil biodiesel when used in a single cylinder DI, CI engine were found experimentally. The raw vegetable oils were converted into their biodiesels (BD) separately by transesterification process. Tests were also carried to determine the properties of the fuels which include Flash point, Fire point, Kinematic viscosity and Gross calorific value at South Western Railways diesel loco shed laboratory. Engine tests were carried out using engine with PC interface separately for petroleum diesel, BD made from Jatropha oil and Pongamia Pinnata oils. Initially tests were carried out at three different injection timings to arrive at the optimum injection timings for the three fuels separately. Engine tests have been carried out with the aim of obtaining comparative measures of brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake specific fuel consumption (bsfc), brake power, exhaust gas temperature, NOx, HC and smoke emissions. All the tests were conducted at six different power outputs (No load, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of rated power) and for three injection timings of 19o, 23o and 27o btdc keeping the injection pressure constant at 205 bar. It was observed that the optimum injection timing for Honge oil methyl ester (HOME), diesel and Jatropha oil methyl ester (JOME) at 205 bar injection pressure are 19o, 23o and 27o btdc respectively. It is observed that the brake thermal efficiency for HOME and JOME are slightly lower than neat diesel operation. However the brake specific fuel consumption of HOME and JOME were higher compared to Diesel. Emissions of NOx and HC also were comparatively lower for HOME and JOME when compared with Diesel for various Brake power conditions.