Performance Evaluation of a Low Heat Rejection Diesel Engine with Jatropha Oil

Abstract

Investigations were carried out to evaluate the performance of a low heat rejection (LHR) diesel engine consisting of air gap insulated piston with 3-mm air gap, with superni (an alloy of nickel) crown, air gap insulated liner with superni insert and ceramic coated cylinder head with different operating conditions of crude jatropha oil (CJO) with varied injection timing and injector opening pressure . Performance parameters [brake thermal efficiency, exhaust gas temperature, coolant load and volumetric efficienc and exhaust emissions [smoke and oxides of nitroge were determined at various values of brake mean effective pressure (BMEP). Combustion characteristics [ peak pressure, time of occurrence of peak pressure and maximum rate of pressure ris of the engine were at peak load operation of the engine. Conventional engine (CE) showed deteriorated performance, while LHR engine showed improved performance with vegetable operation at recommended injection timing and pressure. The performance of both versions of the engine improved with advanced injection timing and higher injector opening pressure when compared with CE with pure diesel operation. Relatively, peak brake thermal efficiency increased by 14%, smoke levels decreased by 27% and NOx levels increased by 49% with vegetable oil operation on LHR engine at its optimum injection timing, when compared with pure diesel operation on CE at manufacturers recommended injection timing.