Investigation on the performance, emission and combustion pattern of research diesel engine fueled with higher alcohol and pongamia biodiesel blends

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, the effects of octanol on the engine emissions, performance, and combustion of Pongamia oil biodiesel/octanol blends were examined. Experiments were conducted on a single-cylinder, biodiesel engine using various blends of Pongamia biodiesel and octanol (O10PBD90, and O20PBD20) and Biodiesel (PBD). Experimental results show that the octanol and biodiesel blends (O10PBD90 and O20PBD20) have slightly higher Brake thermal efficiency (0.3–0.7%) and lower Brake specific fuel consumption (0.4% to 0.9%) than that of neat biodiesel (PBD) at all engine loads. Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emission and smoke emission are reduced by 2.2–2.9% and 2.1–3.2% for octanol and biodiesel blends compared to neat biodiesel. Introduction of octanol to biodiesel reduces the unburned hydrocarbon (1.7–2.5%), carbon monoxide emissions (1.4–2.7%) considerably. Further, the cylinder pressure and heat release rate and were enhanced by adding octanol to base fuel (BD100).