Investigations on Biodiesel Blend as a Substitute Fuel for Diesel

Abstract

The suitability of using biodiesel blends (B10 and B20) obtained from jatropha biodiesel (JBD) and high speed diesel (HSD) in a 10.3 kW DI 4stroke single cylinder water cooled engine has been presented in this paper along with their fuel properties. These properties were found to be comparable to diesel and confirming to both the American and European standards. Lower brake thermal efficiency (BTE), higher brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and higher exhaust gas temperature (EGT) were observed for B20 as compared to B10 and HSD. However, at full load, BTE with B10 was maximum with minimum BSFC and EGT. The percentage of reduction in carbon monoxide produced with B10 as compared to HSD was on an average 9.63%, whereas it was 26.4% for B20. CO2 emission for both B10 and B20 was comparable with HSD. However, NOx emission for B10 and B20 was higher at lower loads as compared to HSD and it reduced with increase in engine load. Minimum carbon deposits on the in-cylinder engine parts and lesser wear debris in lubricating oil were observed with engine operated with B10 as compared to B20 and HSD. The lesser BSFC, EGT and higher BTE with reduced CO, carbon deposits and wear debris made the blend of biodiesel (B10) a suitable alternative fuel for diesel as compared to B20.