Optimization of diesel engine performance and emission parameters of Karanja biodiesel-ethanol-diesel blends at optimized operating conditions

Abstract

This study reviews Karanja biodiesel, ethanol and diesel blending in context of Indian subcontinent and also focuses on its effects on engine’s performance, emission and combustion responses. Experimentations carried out on four stroke single cylinder diesel engine at constant speed 1500 rpm and injection pressure 210 bar. The four input parameters as Injection angle, Compression ratio, Blend % and loads varied to obtain engine responses as Brake thermal efficiency, Brake specific fuel consumption, Exhaust gas temperature, Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide, Nitrogen Oxide and hydrocarbon. Taguchi method was applied to optimize the trials using L9 orthogonal array and to get main effects S/N ratio curves, for optimal combination of input parameters to response. The ANNOVA was used to establish the contribution of input parameters to responses. Further single combination of input parameters for all seven responses as Injection Angle 19°CA bTDC, Compression ratio 18, Krishna 30 (fuel blend) and 50% load was obtained by Gray Relational Analysis. Experimentation revealed marginal reduction of brake thermal efficiency about 2%, Brake specific fuel consumption higher by 3%, Exhaust gas temperature increases by 3%, Carbon dioxide increases by 0.86%, hydrocarbon decreases by 12 PPM, carbon monoxide and Nitrogen oxide reduced by 0.029% and 8% respectively when compared with diesel at full load. The combustion parameters as Cylinder pressure, Ignition delay, Combustion duration, Start of combustion, End of combustion, Rate of pressure rise, Mean effective pressure and Net heat release rate were observed at full load, also support optimal combination of input parameters.