Properties investigation and performance analysis of a diesel engine fuelled with Jatropha, Soybean, Palm and Cottonseed biodiesel using Ethanol as an additive

Abstract

Biodiesel is world widely recognized as an alternative fuel to conventional diesel fuel in compression ignition engines. It has many advantages including reduction of exhaust gases emissions such as CO, SOx, NOx, and hydrocarbon, higher cetane number, reduced toxicity, safety, and improved CO2 lifecycle. But the poor cold flow properties and higher viscosity of biodiesel limits there usage in the field of transportation sector. Biodiesel derived from different raw feedstock of plant based oils or animal fats contained a significant amount of saturated free fatty acids which increases viscosity, cloud point and pour point of biodiesel. These properties can be enhanced by adding an ethanol as an additive in the blends of biodiesel with diesel which can be further able to enhance the engine performance and reduce harmful exhaust emissions. In the present experimental investigation, an ethanol is added to Jatropha, Soybean, Palm, and Cottonseed biodiesel with diesel as an additive by 5% volume. Properties are investigated as per IS 1448 standards. Investigation reported that addition of ethanol as an additive reduces the kinematic viscosity, cloud point and pour point of blends of biodiesel. The test fuels B20E5 (20% biodiesel + 75% diesel + 5% ethanol) of Jatropha, Soybean, Palm, and Cottonseed biodiesel are tested on single cylinder,four stroke,VCR (Variable Compression Ratio) electric start diesel engine connected to eddy current dynamometer for various load conditions to evaluate performance analysis of the engine. The performance analysis of investigation shows that there is an improved BP (Brake Power), increased BSFC (Brake Specific Fuel Consumption) and increased BTE (Brake Thermal Efficiency) for various loads on engine for Jatropha, Soybean, Palm and Cottonseed biodiesel- diesel blend with ethanol as an additive