Some experimental investigation on Indian origin multi-feedstocks derived biodiesel

Abstract

Alternative to diesel fuel is very promising in the Indian context, as it is being used in large quantities in transport, agriculture, industrial, commercial and domestic sectors. Varieties of vegetable oils, along with their derivatives are considered a sustainable substitute to diesel. As neat vegetable oils are not suitable as a diesel fuel, their derivative commonly known as methyl ester of vegetable oils or biodiesel are amongst the most promising renewable alternative to diesel. In the present study, amongst the variety of feedstocks biodiesel derived from Jatropha and Karanja oil has been used as a fuel in a medium capacity diesel engine. The performance, emission and combustion characteristics of these biodiesel samples were recorded and results were compared with that of the base line data of diesel. The brake thermal efficiency was lower and brake specific energy consumption was higher for biodiesel fuels as compared to diesel fuel. Exhaust temperature was found to be higher for diesel as compared to biodiesel fuels. CO, smoke opacity and unburnt hydrocarbon have been found lower for biodiesel fuels in comparison to diesel, whereas NOX have been found to be higher for biodiesel fuels. For biodiesel fuels, ignition was found to start earlier as compared to diesel fuel. Maximum in-cylinder gas pressure was found to be lower for biodiesel fuels. The Heat Release Rate for the biodiesel fuels was lower than that of the diesel fuel as diesel was found to have higher ignition delay than biodiesel fuels. From the experimental results, it can be concluded that, biodiesel derived from Jatropha and Karanja oils have a great potential as an alternative diesel fuel.