Performance and combustion analysis of diesel and tallow biodiesel in CI engine

Abstract

Rapid industrialization has significantly increased the world’s energy usage. It has been visualized that petroleum-reserves will be scanty, and levels of pollution and global warming will be ample. One can solve these problems by using cleaner and renewable energy sources. Biodiesel can be easily prepared by renewable feed stocks. It is biodegradable and non-toxic as well as it can be used in pure state or by blending with diesel in a diesel engine without any major engine modifications.In this study, biodiesel is produced from tallow oil and blended in different ratios (10%, 20% and 30% abbreviated as B10, B20 and B30 respectively) with diesel and used as an engine fuel to compare combustion and performance characteristics e.g. in-cylinder pressure, rate of pressure rise, mean gas temperature, heat release rate, brake power, specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency and torque. The experimental results showed that engine performance parameters support the use of biodiesel and its blends as fuel as the difference between maximum brake power values of diesel and biodiesel blends(B30) is 1.7% which is un-noticeable, considering its other benefits. The similar results obtained for other characteristics. However, specific fuel consumption was higher in the case of biodiesel blends because of its lower heating value relative to diesel. Considering the fact that animal fat is voluminous by-product of meat Industry and it has limited use otherwise, the present investigation illustrates that biodiesel from animal fat can be used with efficacy without modifications in engine design.