Thermogravitometry and calorimetric evaluation of honge oil methyl ester and its B-20 blend

Abstract

Thermal characterization of biofuels is useful in design, modeling and operation of the systems. This article examines thermal behavior of honge oil methyl ester (HOME) and its B-20 blend (20% of HOME and 80% of diesel) along with diesel. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravitometry (TG) experiments were performed for a heating rate of 4.72 K/s. The range of combustion temperature is high for HOME when compared to that of diesel and B-20 blend due to the formation of intermediate stable compounds during combustion. Reduction in peak temperature of combustion is noticed for diesel, whereas reverse trend is for HOME and B-20 blend in oxygen to nitrogen atmosphere. TG curves indicate two phases of decomposition for diesel as well as B-20 blend and three phases for HOME. Diesel and B-20 blend starts to decompose from 313K onwards whereas HOME is thermally stable up to 408K. B-20 blend exhibits low offset temperature when compared to diesel and HOME, whereas the reaction range occurs from 331 to 578K when compared to that of diesel from 313 to 553K. Complete degradation occurs at 572.9, 596 and 696K for diesel, B-20 blend and HOME. The behavior of B-20 blend is similar to diesel with reduced emission of harmful gases. Present TG-DSC tests will be useful in optimizing the engine tests with blends. • Reduction in peak temperature for diesel in oxygen to nitrogen atmosphere. • Peak temperature increases for HOME and B-20 blend in oxygen atmosphere. • Observed three phases of thermal decomposition for HOME. •Optimization of fuel blends is possible through TG-DSC tests.