Exhaust Gas Analysis Research Articles

EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON AN EXHAUST EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS OF A COMPRESSION IGNITION ENGINE FUELED WITH DIESEL-WATER EMULSION

One of the main sources of global air pollution is the undesirable gas emissions from diesel engines, as well as the accompanied particulate matters (PM). Consequently, the reduction of their amount and quality is highly recommended for clean environment. The present work includes an attempt to use diesel-water emulsion as a fuel on compression ignition (CI) engine emissions and to investigate its effect on these hurtful discharges. For this reason, tests are carried out on a single cylinder, 4-stroke CI engine with steady speed (1500 rpm) and different loads (0-100 %) operated with various proportions of diesel-water emulsions and compared it to the diesel fuel. Four samples of diesel-water emulsions are prepared at ratios of (5, 10, 15 and 20 %) by water volume in diesel and with help of Tween 20 and Oleic Acid as a surfactant to maintain its stability for long periods of time. Gas emissions of the engine are recorded for CO2, CO, HC, and NOX using an exhaust gas analyzer and smoke opacity using a device of smoke meter. Results reveal that the diesel-water emulsion significantly decreases the NOX emissions and smoke opacity. The highest reduction ratio for NOX and smoke opacity are found in case of fuel emulsion DW20, with values of 32.5 % and 39 % respectively, in comparison with that of diesel fuel.

A BWR control blade degradation observed in situ during a CLADS-MADE-02 test under Fukushima Dai-Ichi Unit 3 postulated conditions

ABSTRACT The paper summarizes the results of the control blade degradation test CLADS-MADE-02 performed in the Japan Atomic Energy Agency . The test focused on the beginning phase of the accident at Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant (1F) Unit 3. The investigation provided important data, especially on the temperature history, exhaust gas measurement, and in situ video of metallic debris formation and relocation to the colder elevations under the test scenario, which reproduced oxidizing conditions during the initial phase of the 1F Unit 3 reactor heat-up. Complementary post-test analysis by metallography, Raman spectroscopy, elemental scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry spectroscopy, and exhaust gas analysis provided additional data on the local materials interactions that gave insights on the melt progression scenarios. Based on the test results, some decommissioning-related conclusions concerning the formation of new B-rich phases containing Cr and Fe were made.

Implementation of Predictive Modelling Techniques for determining Exhaust Engine Emissions

The world is going through the biggest change in modern world, the climate change. And this is majorly due to our utmost reliance over fossil fuels. Researchers, industrialists and scientists around the globe are trying to figure out the alternate energy sources or at least the ones with the least poisonous emissions. To design an automobile machinery with such parameters that they would cause possibly the least pollution, a huge sum of money is spent on majorly executing experimentations repeatedly. The paper has shown the objective of testing of such emissions and with the help of known machine learning algorithms, predicting those harmful emissions. In other words, using statistical modelling to predict the engine emissions which is traditionally measured by an exhaust gas analyser. In this research, data of real-time engine emissions produced by burning of Bio-Diesel fuel is recorded and fed into machine learning algorithms for their training. Three machine learning emission models were built up to illustrate their emission ranges. Out of the three, results showed that Decision Tree based engine emission model showed the best results.

Experimental investigation on performance, smoke and exhaust gas analysis of four stroke diesel engine using pongomia/neem oil biodiesel

Increase in energy demand, stringent emission norms and depletion of oil resources led to the discovery of alternative fuels forinternal combustion engines. Many alternative fuels like alcohols, petroleum gas, and compressed natural gas have been alreadycommercialized in the transport sector. In the present work, Pongomia oil and Neem oil are blended with diesel and used as analternate fuel for CI engines. The Pongomia oil and Neem oil can be converted into bio diesel using a chemical process of trans- esterification.Different proportions of fuel blends have been produced by the process of blending bio diesel consisting of 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% (B10, B15, B20, B25, B30). The fuel properties of each blend are determined. The load test along with smoke and exhaust gas analysis of 4- Stroke Diesel engine using the blends of Pongomia oil and Neem oil with diesel are done in this study. The performance parameters of an engine are calculated for different blends. The sustainability of using alternate fuels in Diesel engines, especially the potential use of Pongomia oil and Neem oil as biodiesel have been brought to the fore through this work and suitable blends of bio diesel is suggested from the results.
 Keywords: 4-Stroke Diesel Engine, Pongomia and Neem oil Bo diesel, Performance, Smoke and exhaust gas analysis.

Comparison of noninvasive, in-situ and external monitoring of microbial growth in fed-batch cultivations in Corynebacterium glutamicum

Automated bioprocess systems rely on accurate online measurements of cellular growth. In the present study, six sensors representing five different technologies, namely near-infrared absorbance, external non-invasive light scattering, back scattering reflectance, dielectric spectroscopy and exhaust gas analysis were evaluated in online monitoring of growth of the microbial cell factory Corynebacterium glutamicum. The signal outputs were monitored during the stationary growth phase of the cells under different conditions of agitation and aeration, conditions that pose potential interference with the in-situ signals. The random noise of the measurements was filtered using a Gaussian filter and the time derivatives were computed to obtain information of the microbial growth rate. Surprisingly, the signals of most probes under fed-batch cultivations of C. glutamicum were highly correlated with the stirring, but were mostly unaffected by the airflow, despite the increase in air bubbles that can cause measurement interference. Taken together, we show that an online estimation of growth of C. glutamicum based on the different sensor signals was possible with linear and multiple linear regression, correcting for the effect of stirring, and an estimation of growth rate was made accurate with an implementation of a Gaussian filter.

Combustion Melting Characterisation of Solid Fuel Obtained from Sewage Sludge

Solid fuelization technology can increase the heating value of sewage sludge such that it can be utilised as a fossil fuel substitutes. Reducing landfilling of bottom and fly ash resulting from heavy metals contained in sewage sludge is challenging. Hence, combustion melting technology (CMT), which can discharge bottom ash in the form of slag, has been proposed herein as an alternative to the conventional incineration technology. However, further research is required to improve the flowability of slag. Applicability of CMT for the stable treatment of heavy metals in the ash generated during the energisation of sewage sludge solid fuel has been reviewed. The change in the degree of fluidity was identified via a laboratory-scale fluidity measurement experiment following changes in melting temperature, mixing ratio of sewage sludge and sawdust, and basicity. The pouring index (PI) of sewage sludge solid fuel (pellet) was maintained at a level of about 60% at a basicity index of 0.8. Based on the results, the slagging rates and volume reduction rates, exhaust gas analysis, and heavy metal elution characteristics under oxygen enrichment were derived from a 2 ton/day combustion melting pilot plant experiment; thereafter, the feasibility of combustion melting of sewage sludge solid fuel was determined.

Potential of hydrolyzed oxymethylene dimethyl ether for the suppression of fuel crossover in polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Fuel crossover is a crucial issue for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) supplied directly with liquid fuels. Therefore, finding a type of fuel with a low fuel crossover rate is required. In this study, we investigated fuel crossover characteristics for oxymethylene dimethyl ether (OME), which has attracted attention for use in engines, and compared it with methanol. Cell performance tests and exhaust gas analyses showed that fully hydrolyzed OME (h-OME), which consisted of methanol and formaldehyde, yields high cell performance at high fuel concentrations, due to the low fuel crossover rate, compared with a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). To clarify a factor suppressing fuel crossover, h-OME's effective diffusion coefficient in the membrane was measured. Although an effective diffusion coefficient for fuels like methanol commonly increases with increased fuel's concentration, h-OME's effective diffusion coefficient decreased with increased fuel concentration, leading to a low fuel crossover rate at high h-OME concentrations.

Modeling of Waste Flow in Industrial Symbiosis System at City-Region Level: A Case Study of Jinchang, China

Waste is increasingly used as a renewable resource. Industrial symbiosis is an innovative concept for more efficient use of waste streams within industrial complexes, with the aim of reducing the overall environmental impact of the complex. Industrial symbiosis plays a more important role in promoting green economic growth and building low-carbon cities. Based on the ecological theoretical framework, combined with Waste Flow Analysis (WFA), the material flow analysis (MFA) and production matrix methods were used as the core to construct the Industrial Symbiosis System Waste Flow Metabolism Analysis (ISSWFMA) model. In addition, taking the “Jinchang Model” as an example, a typical case selected by the National Development and Reform Commission of China’s regional circular economy development model, we conducted a refined quantitative study on the flow and metabolism of waste flow in the regional industrial symbiosis system at the City-Region level using the circulation degree index. The following conclusions were obtained from the study: The ISSWFMA model can better describe the flow and metabolism of waste streams in the industrial symbiosis system at the City-Region Level and can provide data and methods for storage management. As the internal industrial chain and the correlation between various departments continuously improved, the Circulation Index (CI) of solid waste, wastewater, and exhaust gas in the industrial symbiosis system of Jinchang City showed an overall increasing trend, the degree of recycling was continuously increasing, the industrial symbiosis ability was continuously enhanced, and the system structure was more complete. At the same time, based on the analysis of different wastes, the industrial symbiosis is developed at different stages; based on the analysis of solid wastes, the industrial symbiosis ability of Jinchang’s Industrial Symbiosis System has strengthened and accelerated the fastest from 2005 to 2010; based on the analysis of wastewater, the industrial symbiosis ability of the system strengthened slowly during the whole study period; and based on the analysis of exhaust gas, the industrial symbiosis ability of the system continued to strengthen rapidly during the whole study period. Finally, on the basis of further discussion on the selection of waste recycling paths, we proposed to give full play to the role of market mechanisms, and to build recycling areas and ecological areas by strengthening industrial symbiosis and its derived urban symbiosis to achieve the goals of natural resource conservation, ecological environment protection, and harmonious coexistence between human and nature.

Combustion of pellets produced from the powders of coconut and cashew nut shells: Chemical, thermal and emission analyses.

Most of the energy consumed worldwide comes from non-renewable sources, such as oil derivatives, making it necessary to search for renewable, clean energy sources, with emphasis on biomass from agricultural and industrial waste. Coconut shell pellets (CSPs) and cashew nut shell pellets (CNSPs) were manufactured and subsequently subjected to chemical, thermal and exhaust gas analyses of their combustion. Mean temperature results in the combustion area were 366.44 ± 84.79°C (CSPs) and 295.00 ± 89.47°C (CNSPs). The exhaust gas combustion values were 19.43 ± 0.57% (CSPs) and 18.75 ± 0.77% (CNSPs) of O2, 2348 ± 1241 ppm (CSPs) and 2901 ± 499 ppm (CNSPs) of CO, 14.92 ± 5.06 ppm (CSPs) and 39.83 ± 10.91 ppm (CNSPs) of NOx, and 441.25 ± 130.41 ppm (CSPs) and 2841.50 ± 765.26 ppm (CNSPs) of CH4. In conclusion, the combustion process of CSPs proved to be less polluting and more energy efficient when compared with CNSPs. The analyses of the exhaust gases from the combustion of these biomasses can serve as a basis for the creation of safety parameters and public policies to regulate the use of biomass for energy purposes.

Production, characterisation, comparison, and performance of algae biodiesel as an eco-friendly fuel

Energy hunger is increasing drastically due to industrialisation and improvement in the living standards of the citizens causes global warming, pollution, and related issues. If the same pattern for the utilisation of fossil fuels continues, resources of petroleum-based fuel can be drained in the next few years with ascend in environmental issues. Hence, the researchers are putting their best efforts into exploring alternative sources for energy generation. The current research talks about the selection and justifications of algae as a fuel, design, and development of fast pyrolyser for biodiesel production, fuel characterisation, and performance test on an FCR (fixed compression ratio) diesel engine with blending ratio varies from B0, B20, B50, and B100. At B100, the diesel engine gives its best performance at full load with a compression ratio of 16 (brake thermal efficiency = 11.5%, BSFC = 0.7609 kg/kW-hr). Results of exhaust gas analysis for B100 and B20 are also cited which satisfy the prevailing emission norms. The least emission of greenhouse gases is observed using algae biodiesel. Thus, algae biodiesel can be the most promising eco-friendly fuel for solutions to current global issues.

Effects of Jet Flow Pulsation on Diffusion Flame Performance

he objective of the current research is the experimental investigation of the pulsating flow effects on the combustion performance in terms of the flame temperature distribution, the heat transfer rate, the combustion efficiency and the exhaust gas analysis. The flow pulsation provided through a rotary ball valve in accordance with a variable speed motor arrangement increased the flame temperature fluctuation and the magnitude of heat release. The flow pulsation provides a highly turbulent flame wherein the vortices are enlarged. Increasing Strouhal number [St] of the LPG fuel and air flow increases the time-averaged flame temperature of the pulsating flame up to a saturation level that is dictated by the heat transfer rate enhancement. The maximum average flame temperature is 1263oC at St= 0.041, r= 0 mm and 100 mm from the burner inlet. In addition, increasing the pulsating flow amplitude increases the convection and radiation heat fluxes from the pulsating flame. While increasing the pulsation decreases the exhaust UHC due to increasing the turbulent kinetic energy across the pulsating flame, the exhaust NOx slightly increases due to increasing the heat release rate and the flame temperatures. Pulsation thus enhances the combustion efficiency inside the industrial combustors.

Excess Air Ratio Management in a Diesel Engine with Exhaust Backpressure Compensation.

The paper investigates the operation of a wideband universal exhaust gas oxygen (UEGO) sensor in a diesel engine under elevated exhaust backpressure. Although UEGO sensors provide the excess air ratio feedback signal primarily in spark ignition engines, they are also used in diesel engines to facilitate low-emission combustion. The excess air signal is used as an input for the fuel mass observer, as well as to run the engine in the low-emission regime and enable smokeless acceleration. To ensure a short response time and individual cylinder control, the UEGO sensor can be installed upstream of a turbocharger; however, this means that the exhaust gas pressure affects the measured oxygen concentration. Therefore, this study determines the sensor’s sensitivity to the exhaust pressure under typical conditions for lean burn low-emission diesel engines. Identification experiments are carried out on a supercharged single-cylinder diesel engine with an exhaust system mimicking the operation of the turbocharger. The apparent excess air measured with the UEGO sensor is compared to that obtained in a detailed exhaust gas analysis. The comparison of reference and apparent signals shows that the pressure compensation correlations used in gasoline engines do not provide the correct values for diesel engine conditions. Therefore, based on the data analysis, a new empirical formula is proposed, for which the suitability for lean burn diesel engines is verified.

Marine Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions Measured in Ship's Dynamic Operating Conditions.

The paper presents the results of research on measuring the emissions from marine diesel engines in dynamic states. The problem is as follows: How to measure emissions of the composition of exhaust gases on board a ship, without direct measurement of fuel consumption and an air flow to marine diesel engine, during maneuvering the ship in the port area. The authors proposed a measurement methodology using an exhaust gas analyzer with simultaneous recording of the load indicator, engine speed, inclinometer, and Global Positioning System (GPS) data. Fuel consumption was calculated based on mean indicated pressure (MIP) tests. Recorded data were processed in the LabView systems engineering software. A simple neural network algorithm was used to model the concentrations of ingredients contained in engine exhaust gases during dynamic states. Using the recorded data, it is possible to calculate the emissions of the composition of exhaust gases from the marine diesel engine and calculate the route emissions of the tested vessel.

Effect of combustion zone material on the thermal performance of a biogas-fuelled porous media burner: Experimental studies

The performance of a porous media burner (PMB) is immensely dependent on the selection of porous material. Present experimental work investigates the impact of burner’s material on the thermal performance of a crude biogas-fuelled, in house developed PMB. This includes the study of burner stable operating limits, location of reaction zone, estimation of radiation efficiency and exhaust gas emission analysis. The PMB consists of two sections of porous material, one is the combustion zone and the other is the preheat zone. In the present research, the impact of combustion zone material on performance of the PMB is tested, while keeping the material of preheat zone unchanged. Silicon carbide (SiC) and zirconia (ZrO2) foams, both having porosity of 10 ppi, have been chosen as combustion zone. Experimental investigation shows that for the whole input load range of 5–10 kW, the SiC foam offered lean working condition, while in case of ZrO2, similar condition was limited to 5–8 kW. Within these stable operating limits, the axial temperature mapping of the burner highlights the location of reaction zone. Combustion in SiC foam is found to offer higher radiation efficiency of maximum 23.7%, as compared to that of ZrO2, where it is only 8%. Exhaust gas analysis shows that CO and NOx concentrations of both burners were low and the maximum values were limited to 156 ppm and 20 ppm, respectively. Overall performance assessment confirms that SiC is a better choice over ZrO2 for lean combustion of crude biogas in the developed PMB.

A study on sustainable alternative fuels in minuscule flying machine

The increasing stipulate for energy demand has necessitated the progress to alternative renewable energy. Aviation fuel is the main source for aircraft engines to progress from one place to another. The objective of the study potentiates the use alternative, renewablefuels which accomplish better than aviation fuel in terms ofpremiere and intended concert. Considering aviation fuel in terms of premium and intended concert at different proportions of fuel blends with biofuel such as ethanol, methanol was analyzed. The conventional fuel mixed with oxygenated fuel in the ratios of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% by volume basis.These fuel blends were used to determine experimentally the effects of fuel properties and characteristics. Comparing the results and properties of fuel blends with aviation fuel has been used in transportation, energygeneration and combustion performance. By influential of fuel blends properties which consign the performance analysis and its significance. The fuel parameters such as density, viscosity, refractive index, vapour pressure, flash point, and calorific value were tested by utilizing with the accurate equipment. For analysing blended fuels various testing equipment is used mainly to find out fuel efficiency. As a result, these fuel blends intricate the efficient functions to perform for the minuscule flying machine. The radio-controlled plane functions were tested at high altitude, speed and spin with these blended fuels. The fuel combustion as a result of burnt gas pollutants traces were recorded by using the exhaust gas analyzer.

An experimental and numerical investigation of the catalytic-rich/gaseous-lean combustion of H2/CO/air mixtures at 8 bar

The catalytic-rich/gaseous-lean (R/L) combustion concept was investigated experimentally and numerically for syngas fuels with H2:CO volumetric ratios 1:0, 4:1 and 1:2, catalytic-rich stoichiometries φrich = 2–10 (including operation without air), pressure of 8 bar and air preheat of 673 K. Experiments were performed in a subscale R/L burner with optical access to both catalytic-rich and gaseous-lean stages. OH-PLIF monitored the turbulent combustion in the gaseous-lean stage, OH*-chemiluminescence assessed the propensity for homogeneous ignition in the catalytic-rich stage, and exhaust gas analysis provided the NOx and CO emissions. Two-dimensional simulations were carried out for both stages, while a 1-D opposed-jet code modeled the NOx emissions. The exothermicity of the heterogeneous reactions promoted homogeneous ignition and flame anchoring in the upstream parts of the catalytic-rich stage and allowed for complete consumption of the deficient O2 reactant, a process that could not be achieved by the catalytic pathway alone due to transport limitations. Homogeneous combustion in the catalytic-rich stage was beneficial for attaining the highest possible fuel pre-conversion. The catalyst not only initiated gaseous combustion but also mitigated potential NOx emissions from the catalytic-rich stage at the highest pre-conversions (lowest φrich) and highest CO-content mixtures. Two-sided diffusion flames were established in the gaseous-lean stage due to the recirculation of O2-rich combustion products, which was advantageous for the burner compactness. It was shown that cardinal to the R/L concept was the fact that a decreasing φrich led to an increased heat transfer from the catalytic-rich stage to the bypass air, which reduced the enthalpy in the fuel stream of the gaseous-lean stage and thus lowered the peak flame temperatures (by 400 K for H2:CO = 1:0). The reduction in flame temperatures with decreasing φrich led to a six-fold drop in NOx emissions, while CO emissions were less than 5 ppmv.

Design, analysis and fabrication of lanthanum strontium manganite catalytic converter

With the ever-increasing pollution rate, we have considered the need to control automobile emissions which are responsible for global warming. In this paper, we aim to propose a cost effective and sustainable design prototype of a catalytic converter. Design was done by considering some of the problems in existing catalytic converter like back pressure, cold start emissions and cost. The new design of the Catalytic converter includes a new catalyst i.e. Lanthanum Strontium Manganite (LSM) with a piecewise placement approach and a hexagonal random cell shape which is in contrast with the existing platinum-palladium catalyst and honeycomb structure. Analysis of the design of Catalytic converter was done which included the ANSYS CFD and mode shape analysis. The cold start emissions were reduced by using a method to pre - heat the air at the input of the converter shell using Arduino controlled heat plug. The testing of the converter assembly was done on a single cylinder Briggs & Stratton Engine and results were taken using Exhaust Gas Analyser which gave us the emission outputs with and without catalytic converter at idling and full rpm of the engine.

The Environmental Safety of the Fiat 0.9 TwinAir Compressed Natural Gas Engine

The article presents the results of measurements of concentrations of selected exhaust components of the Fiat 0.9 TwinAir spark-ignition engine operating according to load characteristics. The tested engine has an indirect, multi-point petrol supply system and has been retrofitted with an indirect CNG injection system. The results of the tests are a comparison of selected economic, ecological and energetic indicators of engine operation obtained when fuelled with CNG and 95 octane petrol. The operation of the engine fuelled with gaseous fuel was preceded by autocalibration of the controller of the fuelling system. The article presents the results of tests of concentrations of harmful components of exhaust gases: carbon dioxide CO2, carbon monoxide CO, nitrogen oxides NOx and HC hydrocarbons. Moreover, the values of lambda λ air excess coefficient are presented and fuel consumption is compared. The obtained results of the tests of the engine fuelled with CNG gas show a significant decrease in the value of the obtained torque in comparison to the engine torque when fuelled with petrol. The engine fuelled with compressed natural gas contributed to the improvement of its ecological properties and a reduction of fuel consumption, which are important factors of ecological and energy safety. Exhaust gas analysis showed a reduction in the concentration of harmful components of exhaust gases, mainly hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. A positive effect of the operation of the engine powered by CNG was also a significant reduction of carbon dioxide in the exhaust gases compared to the engine powered with gasoline.

SYNTHESIS OF CALCIUM FLUORIDE BY DRY METHOD FROM CALCIUM CARBONATE AND AMMONIUM FLUORIDE

The proposed scheme for producing CaF2 according to the “dry” method is based on the following stages: hydrolysis of hydrofluoric acid to produce white carbon black and a 12-18% NH4F solution and subsequent production of CaF2 from CaCO3 at a temperature of 200-400 °C in a fluidized bed or drum furnace in a continuous mode, while ammonia from the exhaust gas is sent to the stage of hydrolysis of hydrofluoric acid. In the article the features of synthetic calcium fluoride obtaining by the "dry" method from calcium carbonate and ammonium fluoride are studied. It is shown that the heating of the mixture proceeds with a step-by-step decomposition of ammonium fluoride, and decomposition products interact with calcium carbonate forming a synthetic calcium fluoride. These factors determine the behavior of a solid mixture of calcium carbonate and ammonium fluoride under heating, which allows us to evaluate the kinetic factors of the interaction of reagents and products and of their thermal transformation. Conditions of receiving synthetic calcium fluoride from the waste products of phosphoric acid and synthetic calcium carbonate by “dry” method are determined. The calcium fluoride can be recognized as a basic product in solving the problem of the waste catalyst hydrofluoric acid utilization. In the article, the features of synthetic calcium fluoride obtaining by the “dry” method from calcium carbonate and ammonium fluoride are studied. A synchronous thermal analysis of this mixture was carried out with the analysis of exhaust gases by the IR-Fourier method at samplesheating rates of 1.5 ; 5; 10 °С /min in an air atmosphere. It was shown that heating of this mixture proceeds with stepwise decomposition of ammonium fluoride, the products of which interact with calcium carbonate, form synthetic calcium fluoride. In the first stage, the reactions of calcium carbonate with ammonium fluoride and hydrogen fluoride occur in the kinetic region (Еа = 94.22 kJ/mol), and in the second, the reaction of interaction of CaCO3 and HF (Еа = 30.09 kJ/mol) is limited diffusion of HF to the CaCO3 core in the temperature range of 250-300 °С. These factors determine the behavior a solid mixture of calcium carbonate and ammonium fluoride under heating conditions, which allows us to evaluate the kinetic laws of the process of interaction of reagents and products of their thermal transformation. The conditions for obtaining by “dry” method of synthetic calcium fluoride from waste products of phosphoric acid and synthetic calcium carbonate have been identified, and calcium fluoride can be recognized as the base product in solving the problem of disposal of waste hydrofluoric acid.

Effect of Butanol Addition to Neem Biodiesel-Diesel Blend on Emission Characteristics of Diesel Engine

The effect of butanol addition in biodiesel-diesel blend to ascertain the emission characteristics of diesel engine was investigated. Experiments were carried out on a four-stroke, single cylinder, air-cooled compression ignition engine. A blend of neem biodiesel 20% and diesel fuel 80% was prepared and labelled as B20. Butanol was then added to B20 blend at volume percent of 5%, 10% and 15% which was labelled as B20Bu5, B20Bu10 and B20Bu15 respectively. These samples were tested on the engine at two conditions: firstly, when speed was constant (2600 rpm) with varying torque of 4, 6, 8, 10 and 11 Nm, and secondly when torque was constant (4 Nm) with varying speed of 2000, 2200, 2400 and 2600 rpm. Exhaust gas analyzer was used to measure exhaust emissions such as nitric oxide (NO), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and unburnt hydrocarbon (HC). The result shows that B20 blend has the highest amount of NO emission at all engine loads. At varying speed B20 blend was found to have NO emission of 303.8 ppm on average but the addition of butanol to B20 blend significantly reduced the amount of NO emission by 16%. NO emission reduced much with more percentage of butanol in the blend. In regards to CO2 emission, it was found that blends containing butanol emits higher amount of CO2 than B20 blend. However, CO2 emission decreased as percentage of butanol in the blend increase. At constant speed B20 blend increases CO emission more than blends containing butanol while at varying speed the result shows very insignificant difference. It was also revealed that blends containing butanol releases higher HC emissions than B20 blend across all engine speeds. At varying torque B20 blend emits higher HC than blends with butanol except for B20Bu15 which has 16.4 ppm on average. A regression equation was developed in order to predict the exhaust emissions at specific engine conditions using a particular fuel blend.
 Keywords: Butanol, neem-biodiesel-diesel, emissions and predictive equation