Thermodynamic Analysis of Various Heat Loss Factors from a Diesel Engine Fueled with Neat Biodiesels

Abstract

In this study, three neat biodiesels are tested for the energy and exergetic performance in a single-cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine. The experiments are conducted for waste poultry fat biodiesel (WPFBD), palm oil biodiesel (POBD) and waste cooking oil biodiesel (WCOBD) at various loads by maintaining a fixed rpm of 1500. Parameters like exergetic efficiency, exergy destruction and various heat loss factors are computed from the thermodynamic models. The in-cylinder combustion pressures, heat release rate and fuel consumptions are also measured. Results show that WCOBD dominates the other two biodiesels by achieving high exergetic efficiency (32.62%) and low exergetic destruction (1.158 kJ). The in-cylinder combustion pressures and net heat release for WCOBD shows smoother combustion with better torque conversion. Whereas POBD shows high fuel consumption and more heat losses. Better utilization of heat input by converting into useful work was achieved for WCOBD at 75% and 100% loads. Similarly, the exhaust emissions from WCOBD compared with diesel fuel at all the loads reveal that except NOx, there is a drastic reduction of CO, UHC and exhaust smoke are observed.