Optimization of performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine fueled with Karanja biodiesel using Grey-Taguchi method

Abstract

In this study the performance and emission characteristics are optimized for a diesel engine when fueled with biodiesel blends. Here the effects of load, compression ratio and blend were investigated for brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) statistically by Taguchi method. Each input parameter is investigated at four different levels. The results showed that BTE and NOx reached their optimum values when the load was at the highest level but for the other two input parameters the optimal values of the output responses are at different levels. So, to reduce the variations grey relational analysis was used accompanying the Taguchi method. Here the design of experiments (DOE) was carried out by a L16 orthogonal array. After that the experimental results were normalized using grey relational analysis. Then from the normalized data the deviation sequence was obtained, and then grey relational coefficients were obtained for each output response from the deviation sequence and then grey relational grade was found out. It was found out that the optimal factor setting was load at 100%, B20 blend and 17.5 compression ratio (CR). At last the relative contribution of the control factors were determined by using ANOVA and load was found out to be the most influential factor.