Honge Oil Biodiesel as a Promising feedstock – An Experimental Investigation

Abstract

The performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a vertical air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine fueled with karanja (honge) and diesel oil blends with B20 (20% biodiesel and 80% diesel), B50 (50% biodiesel and 50% diesel) and B100 were experimental tested (100% biodiesel). The bio-oil was extracted using soxhlet extractor and mechanical pressing in the presence of n-hexane. The transesterification process was accomplished through two stage process with NaOH and methanol. Performance parameters evaluated include Thermal Braking Efficiency (BTE), Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC), Total Fuel Consumption (TFC) and Braking Performance (BP). Heat Release Rate (HRR) and pressure-crank angle diagram are two of the combustion properties evaluated. Carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and oxygen (O2) are among the emission characteristics examined. These parameters were determined under constant load conditions of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% at the rated speed of 1500 rpm and the results for each karanja oil blend (B20, B50, B100) were compared to diesel. As a result, it is concluded that B20 blend offers superior performance, combustion and emission characteristics compared to other test fuel blends.