Performance and Emission Characteristics of Compression Ignition Engine Running on a Blend of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid and Biodiesel Produced from Orange Peel

Abstract

This study evaluates the performance and emission characteristics of an orange peel biodiesel blended with cashew nut shell liquid. It investigates the efficacy of cashew nut shell liquid in reducing nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions resulting from the combustion of the biodiesel, while optimizing its performance. The biodiesel was prepared via transesterification. It was obtained by reacting orange peel oil produced through Soxhlet extraction with methanol in the presence of NaOH. The biodiesel was blended with cashew nut shell liquid in the ratio 70%:30% (B70). Experimental results demonstrate that blending cashew nut shell liquid with orange peel biodiesel causes a slight decrease in NOX emission. B70 generates 150 ppm of NOX, while B100 and diesel produce 159 ppm and 193 ppm, respectively. The hydrocarbon emission of B70 was 8% lower than that of B100 and 22.3% lower than that of diesel. As regards CO and CO2 emission, B70 performs better than B100 and diesel. The performance parameters were computed at brake powers of 2.5 kW, 5.0 kW, 7.5 kW, and 10 kW. In comparison to diesel and B100, B70 has higher brake thermal efficiency at all loads. The brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of B70 is higher than that of diesel, but less than that of B100 at 2.5 kW and 5.0 kW. At 7.5 kW and 10 kW, the BSFC of B70 is higher than that of B100 and diesel. Conclusively, B70 gives optimal performance and less emission. Hence, cashew nut shell liquid is a good additive.