Cottonseed Biodiesel Research Articles

Enhancing engine performance, combustion, and emissions characteristics through CeO2-modified cottonseed biodiesel with hydrogen enrichment: A comprehensive investigation

This investigation delves into the combined use of nanoparticles added biodiesel blends and hydrogen as secondary fuels in CI engines, intending to minimize the reliance on traditional fossil fuels. Calcined wood ash (CWA) has been used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the preparation of cottonseed biodiesel. XRD, SEM and BET analysis was performed to characterize the catalyst. This study evaluates the impact of adding hydrogen and Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles to cottonseed biodiesel on a CRDI engine. It showed that H2 at an intake rate of 10 L/min improved the engine's overall performance and reduced hazardous emissions. By incorporating the CeO2 nanoparticles (75 ppm) in a cottonseed biodiesel blend and injecting H2 in the engine the BTE was enhanced by 27.8% and BSFC was decreased by 4.41%. There was a reduction of 24%, 22.8%, 6.42%, and 69.5% for HC, CO, CO2 and smoke emissions. On the other hand, NOx rose by 9.3% compared to diesel. The combustion characteristics, such as cylinder pressure showed 26.5% improvement at full load on inclusion of H2. Additionally, under maximum load, the blend C20 + CeO2+H2 has the shortest ignition delay and combustion duration leading to higher engine efficiency. The results of this investigation offer valuable insights into the potential of biodiesel-hydrogen dual-fuel strategies to reduce the environmental impact of CI engines while promoting sustainable energy practices.

Assessment of Performance and Emission Characteristics of Biodiesel/Graphene/ N-Octanal Blends in Water Cooled Compression Ignition Engine

Biodiesel and alcohols are only two of the numerous alternative fuels that have found widespread commercialization in the transportation and industrial sectors. Cottonseed oil and n-octanol piqued our curiosity again in this regard. The engines used in the experiments are single-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines with a power output of 1.5 kW. The tests are run at 1500 rpm with varying loads on the diesel, cottonseed oil, and graphene mixtures. i.e., BB1(Diesel 75%+ Cottonseed biodiesel 20%+ n-Octanol 5%), BB2(Diesel 75%+ Cottonseed biodiesel 20%+ n-Octanol 5%+ nanographene 25ppm), BB3(Diesel 75%+ Cottonseed biodiesel 20%+ n-Octanol 5%+nanographene 50ppm), BB4(Diesel 70%+ Cottonseed biodiesel 20%+ n-Octanol 10%), BB5(Diesel 70%+ Cottonseed biodiesel 20%+ n-Octanol 10%+ nanographene 25 ppm), BB1(Diesel 70%+ Cottonseed biodiesel 20%+ n-Octanol 10%+ nanographene 50ppm). The findings indicate that incorporating cottonseed oil leads to an improvement in brake thermal efficiency, along with a decrease in specific fuel consumption and exhaust gas temperature. By increasing the amount of cottonseed oil in the blend, the emission parameters such as CO, CO2, NOx, and O2 are reduced, while HC emissions increase. Adding n-octanol and graphene to the cottonseed oil blend diesel fuel has a comparable impact to adding pure cottonseed oil in different proportions. This leads to an increase in brake thermal efficiency, a decrease in specific fuel consumption, and a reduction in exhaust gas temperature.

Optimizing Biodiesel Blend Performance with Nano Additives in Diesel Engines for Sustainable Environmental Impact

Biodiesel, a sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based diesel, can be derived from various sources such as vegetable oils, animal fats, and recycled cooking oils. Its production and use have gained momentum due to its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and diminish our reliance on fossil fuels. The combustion of fossil fuels contributes significantly to climate change and various forms of pollution. In India's agricultural sector, the production of biodiesel from non-edible plant oils has witnessed a surge in popularity. However, the current supply of these biodiesels falls short of meeting the growing demand for fossil fuels. To address this challenge, a novel biodiesel formulation using non-edible oils has been developed. This study aims to create an innovative biodiesel blend comprising 50% cottonseed biodiesel, 50% rapeseed biodiesel, and diesel with the addition of cerium oxide. The results obtained with CR20N50 indicate a substantial 15–18% reduction in fuel consumption, a notable 12–22% decrease in carbon monoxide emissions, and a significant 13–20% reduction in hydrocarbon emissions compared to conventional diesel fuel.

Optimization of Azadirachta indica leaf extract mediated cerium oxide nanoparticles synthesis, characterization, and its applications

The present study focuses on the novel synthesis of cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles from cerium nitrate hexahydrate by using Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf extract. The parameters associated with the green synthesis process were optimized utilizing the response surface methodology (RSM) paired with the genetic algorithm (GA) to produce a higher yield rate. The experiment run order for the CeO2 green synthesis is then generated using the central composite design in RSM. The regression equation was used as an optimization function, and the optimal values were identified through GA. Using optimized input process parameters, 0.3 g/10 mL of precursor concentration and 5 mL of Azadirachta indica leaf extract centrifuged for 20 min in the green synthesis process resulted in a maximum yield of 15.49 % CeO2 nanoparticles. The synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles are characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), particle size distribution, and zeta potential analyses, which are used to ensure their presence in the green synthesis process. Subsequently, the green synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles are dosed as an additive to the cotton seed biodiesel (CSB) at different proportions of 25, 50, and 75 ppm, respectively. The prepared biofuel's physico-chemical properties were measured as per ASTM standards and are closer to the diesel fuel. As a result, it was noted that optimizing the green synthesis process parameters gives a maximum rate of CeO2 yield. It is possible to efficiently use the CSB with CeO2 nanoparticles as a suitable replacement for diesel fuel.

Effective utilization of biodiesel blends with nano additives on diesel engine towards eco-sustainability

The sustainable fuel known as biodiesel can be produced from either vegetable oils, animal fats, or even recycled cooking oils. It has the potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions and lessen our dependence on oil when compared to traditional diesel derived from petroleum. Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, which are a key contributor to climate change as well as other pollution. In India’s agriculture industry, making biodiesel from plant sources, especially oils that can’t be eaten, has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. In addition, there are not enough of these biodiesels on the market to match the surging demand for fossil fuel. A new biodiesel composition that can be used in diesel engines is made from non-edible oils. The development of a new combination of biodiesel is crucial in order to keep up with the surging demand for fossil fuels. The purpose of this study is to create a novel biodiesel blend of 50 % cottonseed biodiesel and 50 % rapeseed biodiesel and diesel with cerium oxide. The results of CR20N50 show a 15–18 % reduction in fuel consumption, a 12–22 % reduction in carbon monoxide emissions, and a 13–20 % reduction in hydrocarbon emissions compared with base diesel.

Experimental Investigations on Exhaust Emissions of Insulated Engine Fuelled with Acetylene, Cottonseed biodiesel Mixtures

In the context of exhaustion of fossil fuels day by day due to heavy demand with the use of agriculture sector and transport sector, escalation of fuel prices in International Oil Market causing huge economic burden on developing countries like India and rise of pollution levels with fossil fuel, the conservation of fossil fuels has become pertinent. Gaseous fuels have many merits over liquid fuels, as the pollutants emitted by gaseous fuels are low due to clean combustion, high calorific value in comparison with liquid fuels. Vegetable oils are good substitutes for diesel, as they are renewable, comparable calorific value and cetane (meausre of combustion quality) number when compared with neat diesel operation. However, the disadvantages associated with vegetable oils such as high viscosity and low volatility cause combustion problems in diesel engines. They can be rectified to some extent by converting them into biodiesel. In this experiment, cottonseed oil was used as alternative fuel for diesel fuel, as India is second producer of Cottonseed oil in the world. The drawbacks associated with vegetable oil were overcome, by adopting the principle of low heat rejection (LHR) consisted of air gap insulated piston engine. Investigations were carried out with Acetylene gas as primary fuel inducted by port injection and cottonseed oil blended with optimum quantity (20%) diethyl ether (DEE) was injected into the engine in conventional manner. Particulate matter (PM), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon mono oxide (CO) levels and un-burnt hydro carbons (UBHC) are the exhaust emissions from a diesel engine. They cause health hazards, once they are inhaled in. They also cause environmental effects like Green-house effect and Global Warming. Hence control of these emissions is an immediate effect and an urgent step. The pollutants of PM, NOx , CO and UBHC were determined at full load operation of the engine with varied injection pressure and compared with test fuel on conventional engine. The maximum induction of Acetylene gas was 35%, with CE, while it was 45% with LHR engine of total mass of diesel as full load operation. Particulate emissions were determined by AVL Smoke meter, while other emissions were measured by Netel Chromatograph multi-gas analyzer at full load operation. These pollutants were drastically reduced with induction of Acetylene gasand further reduced with an increase of injection pressure.

An impact of emulsified cottonseed biodiesel with Nano additives on low heat rejection engine

An impact of emulsified cottonseed biodiesel with Nano additives on low heat rejection engine

Effect of ethylene glycol monoacetate as an oxygenated fuel additive on emission and performance characteristics of diesel engine fueled with diesel-cottonseed biodiesel

The present article includes a detailed study of the performance and emission characteristics of a four-stroke single-cylinder diesel engine using different fuel blends of diesel-cottonseed biodiesel and ethylene glycol monoacetate. Esterified cottonseed oil and ethylene glycol monoacetate consist of higher oxygen content along with similar thermo-physical properties as diesel. Engine was tested under various loading conditions at a constant engine speed of 1500 RPM. Here, Engine was tested under various concentrations of ethylene glycol monoacetate as 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7% in diesel-cottonseed biodiesel pre-mixed blend. Percentage fall in brake thermal efficiency varies from 7% to 13% with change in concentration of ethylene glycol monoacetate from 1% to 7% in diesel–biodiesel blend. CO & Smoke emission were decreased from 15% to 40% with a change in concentration of ethylene glycol monoacetate from 1% to 7% in diesel–biodiesel blend while exhaust gas temperature and HC emission were dropped by 25% for DB93E7 blend. Most appealing results were observed with 7% ethylene glycol monoacetate concentration in a 93% diesel–biodiesel blend. As a concluding remark, a blend of 7% ethylene glycol monoacetate and 93% cottonseed biodiesel and diesel shows improved emission and performance results.

Modified selective non-catalytic reduction system to reduce NOx gas emission in biodiesel powered engines

Biodiesel fuels releases higher NOx emissions than fossil diesel. The Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technique used in the OEM industry is not suitable for application in small engines due to back pressure and clogging problems. Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) is used in relatively large combustion operations. This study introduces a new design by combining SCR and SNCR systems, for use in low power density diesel engines. The system composed of injection-expansion pipe and swirl chamber. The working principle is maximum mixing of the injected fluid and exhaust gas in the expansion chamber, then creating a maximum turbulence in the swirl chamber. This way NOx emission can be reduced at relatively lower exhaust temperatures without using any catalyst. The CFD models of three design candidates were examined in terms of velocity magnitudes, turbulence intensity and particle residence time. The selected design was manufactured and tested. Distilled water and urea-water solution were injected separately at the same flow rate of 375 ml/min. Exhaust emissions of fossil diesel, sheep fat biodiesel – waste cooking oil biodiesel blend and chicken fat – cottonseed biodiesel blend were tested. No significant changes in CO2 and HC gases were observed. Distilled water injection reduced CO and NO emissions by about 10% and 6% for fossil diesel; and by about 9% and 7% for biodiesels operation respectively. The urea-water injection led to reductions in CO and NO emissions by about 60% and 13% for fossil diesel; and by about 45% and 15% for biodiesels respectively.

An Experimental Investigation on CRDI Diesel Engine Coupled with EGR Using Cotton Seed Biodiesel

ABSTRACT This work presents the results of an investigation on the effects of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on performance and emissions at high fuel injection pressure in Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDI) engine. Cottonseed biodiesel is mixed with diesel in two different proportions, i.e., 10 and 15% by volume, designated as B10 and B15. The experimentation was conducted with the said fuel blends under different EGR rates such as 15, 20 and 25%, at a fuel injection pressure (FIP) of 900 bar and at a constant engine speed of 1500 rpm. It was found that at15% EGR, brake thermal efficiency (BTE) reduced by 7.89% at 60% load and 11.9% at full load condition while at EGR 25%, BTE reduced 15.2% and 18.9% with B10 and B15 respectively. The rise in brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) was 11.1% and 14.8% for B10 and B25 respectively. At 25% EGR, CO rises by 23.3% with B10 and 22% with B25 while HC rises by 4.7% for B10 and 3.5% for B25. At 25%EGR, NOx reduced by 33% when compared to diesel fuel.

Investigation of performance and emission characteristics of four stroke single cylinder diesel engine with cotton-seed biodiesel

In present article, engine performance and emission characteristics were investigated with various blends of cotton-seed bio diesel and diesel. Reason to choose cotton seed bio diesel is its thermophysical properties which is identical with diesel. It also consists of higher oxygen content which directly improves combustion efficiency of the engine. Four Stroke, Single cylinder, diesel engine was tested under various blends consist of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% (by Vol) of cotton seed biodiesel. Experimental results found no significant variation in brake thermal efficiency up to 10% biodiesel blend then it found to be dropped gradually. Brake thermal efficiency decreased by 12% at 20% biodiesel blend. CO & HC emissions exhibited decreasing trends with percentage increase in biodiesel concentration. Increase in NOx emission was insignificant up to 10% biodiesel blend. It can be further noted that 10% biodiesel diesel blend shows optimized performance and emission results.

Investigation of cottonseed oil biodiesel with ethanol as an additive on fuel properties, engine performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a diesel engine

In last few years in automobile sector there is a emerging need of an alternative fuel because of depletion of the stock of fossil fuels in all over the world. Bio-diesel in this regard contested a strong alternative to the conventional fuels. Bio-diesel contains 9-10% higher oxygen and higher cetane number which allows its good combustion in the combustion chambers of the engine. But poor hot flow and cold flow properties of biodiesel restricts their applications in the field of automotives. So the blends of biodiesel in percentage with diesel and ethanol as an properties enhancer additives are used in the biodiesel/diesel blend. Reduced viscosity, higher calorific value, improved flash and fire point and enhanced cold flow properties of the blends with ethanol as an additive, enhanced the combustion and reduced harmful emissions from the engine. Experimental work presented in this paper is by considering cottonseed biodiesel as raw feedstock blended with diesel and 5% ethanol. Properties were investigated experimentally as per IS 1448 standards. Trials were conducted on the single cylinder diesel. Results show that there are significant improvements in the properties of the blend, performance, combustion and reduced harmful emission from the engine. Experimental investigation reported that ethanol as an additives in the blends of cotton-seed biodiesel with diesel reduces kinematic viscosity by 7%, cold flow properties by 9% to 10% . But on the other hand but density of the blend is increased by 3% and higher heating value is decreased by 9%.

Study of Thermal and Oxidative Stability of Cottonseed Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel with excellent lubricity and biodegradability. However, its use may be compromised by factors that change its characteristics and occur during production, transportation and/or storage. Some of them are associated with biodiesel stability and can affect vehicle performance. The objective of this work was to analyze the main causes of cottonseed oil biodiesel instability due to the storage process, determining some physicochemical properties as kinematic viscosity, acidity index, refractive index, electrical conductivity as well as ester content, mass of precipitate formed and pH. The acidity and kinematic viscosity of biodiesel from cottonseed oil increase with storage time. The latter suggests the occurrence of a partial oxidation of biodiesel with formation of products that increase its viscosity. Gas chromatography results showed that even after thermo-oxidative treatment, biodiesel samples maintained the minimum ester content required by the ANP (Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels) and unsaturated bonds tends to be preferentially oxidized over other carbon-carbon bonds. There was no significant influence of light exposure (storage in amber and transparent vials) on the ester content, refractive index and mass of precipitate formed. On the other hand, the latter was influenced by the heating time.

The Influence of Emulsified Water Fuel Containing Fresh Water Microalgae on Diesel Engine Performance, Combustion, Vibration and Emission

Microalgae is considered as an excellent potential renewable source of fuel in many forms including powder or slurry. A high percentage of emulsified water in the fuel is reported to reduce diesel engines’ emissions such as NOx, but that will compromise the engine output power. Using microalgae powder as an additive to enhance the emulsified water fuel heating value is the main objective of this work. Diesel engine combustion, vibration, performance and emissions were evaluated for pure cottonseed biodiesel (CS-B100), emulsified water 20% (vol.) in cottonseed biodiesel (CSB-E20) and emulsified water 20% (vol.) containing Fresh Water Microalgae Chlorella Vulgaris (FWM-CV) in cottonseed biodiesel (CSB-ME20). The emulsified water fuels showed a reduction in in-cylinder pressure, vibration, brake power, torque, exhaust gas temperature, CO2 and NOx, while BSFC and O2 were higher than the pure biodiesel (CS-B100). CSB-ME20 produced higher power and torque than CSB-E20 due to the presence of microalgae in the fuel that increased the energy content of the fuel.

Viscosity of Cottonseed Oil and Biodiesel

The viscosities of cottonseed oil (CSO) and cottonseed biodiesel (CSB) were measured at atmospheric pressure and temperatures from (293 to 373) K and (303 to 348) K, respectively. The Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann (VFT) and Mauro (MYEGA) equations were selected to represent the temperature dependence of the experimental data, giving deviations within the experimental uncertainties. These equations allowed estimating the glass transition temperatures, which were compared with available values from literature. For viscosity prediction, the group contribution method proposed by Ceriani was compared with the fragment approach given by Zong for CSO. For CSB the Grunberg–Nissan equation coupled with Ceriani and Yuan models was applied, and the influence of the interaction parameter (Gij) is highlighted.

Experimental Evaluation of the use of Cottonseed Biodiesel and Mixtures With Commercial Diesel Engine Generator

This experimental study presents the results obtained in the tests of a motor-generator to diesel cycle, without adaptations, supplied with pure cottonseed biodiesel, B100, mixtures of biodiesel in different proportions, 20%, 30%, 50% and 70%, added To diesel oil, compared to commercial diesel oil, B7, used as a reference. The tests evaluated the behavior of the motor-generator, when operating in steady state and for different loads simulated through a bank of resistors. The fuel consumption and the emission fraction of CO, CO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> , NO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">x</sub> and particulate in the form of soot were measured during the tests. From the results obtained, the thermal efficiency and the specific fuel consumption were determined. The results are discussed in a comparative way according to the load applied to the engine and the fuels evaluated in the study.

Combustion, performance and exhaust emission characterizations of a diesel engine operating with a ternary blend (alcohol-biodiesel-diesel fuel)

Interest in alternative and clean energy has increased in order to meet increasing energy need and control over air pollution. In this context, studies on renewable alternative fuels such as biodiesel and alcohols for diesel engines continue intensively. However, pure biodiesel cannot be used alone in diesel engines due to its high density and viscosity. Therefore, in order to improve the density and viscosity of the biodiesel blend, alcohols are used as a fuel additive. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of the biodiesel and various alcohols additions to petroleum-based diesel fuel (DF) on combustion, performance and emissions of a single-cylinder diesel engine at different engine loads. In preparing the fuel blends used in the experiments, 20% cottonseed biodiesel was first mixed with DF and coded as B20. The mixture ratio was set at 20% biodiesel: 10% butanol, 10% ethanol, or 10% methanol and coded as B20Bu10, B20E10, and B20M10, respectively.Our results showed that ignition delay (ID) of the biodiesel and alcohol blends was longer than that of DF because of their low cetane numbers. The values of maximum cylinder pressure (CPmax), maximum pressure rise (Rmax), and maximum heat release rate (HRRmax) of B20 and their locations were very close to the DF at all the loads. However, due to the low cetane number of the alcohols and the rapid combustion of the fuel accumulated in the combustion chamber during the long ignition delay, the CPmax, HRRmax and Rmax values of the alcohol blends were higher than those of B20 and DF for all the engine loads. This difference was more apparent at the high engine loads. Since the heating values of the biodiesel and alcohols were lower than those of DF, the B20 and alcohol blends had higher brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) values. The brake thermal efficiency (BTE) values of all the fuels used in the experiments were very close to each other, followed a similar trend and reached their maximum at 0.27 MPa. The B20 and alcohol blends led to a slight increase in nitrogen oxide (NOx) and hydrocarbons (HC) emissions while reducing smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. With the addition of the alcohols, a significant reduction in smoke emissions was observed at all the engine loads due to the high oxygen content and low C/H of the alcohols.

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

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

Impact of oxygenated cottonseed biodiesel on combustion, performance and emission parameters in a direct injection CI engine

ABSTRACTIn the present study, biodiesel production from the crude cotton-seed oil (CSO) and its feasibility to be used as fuel in compression ignition engine was analysed. Single-stage transesterification at molar ratio of 8:1 on crude CSO yielded 94% of cottonseed biodiesel (CBD). Gas chromatogram/mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of 19.5% unsaturated and 80.5% saturated esters in cotton seed biodiesel. Taguchi approach identified the stable fuel blend with oxygenate concentration. Increased oxygen concentration up to 20% were also analysed to understand the variation. Higher peak in-cylinder pressure was observed in D80CBD20 fuel blend. Diesel–biodiesel blend with oxygenate significantly affected the ignition delay and also resulted in varied exhaust gas temperature. D80CBD20nB10 showed an increase in brake thermal efficiency, whereas D80CBD20 exhibited higher brake specific energy consumption at full load. Carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and smoke emission was found to be high in diesel with higher oxides of nitrogen in D80CBD20nB10. This experimental investigation finally revealed that, D80CBD20nB10 improved the combustion and performance characteristics with minimal emissions.Abbreviations ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials; BP: brake power; BSEC: brake specific energy consumption; BTE: brake thermal efficiency; CBD: cottonseed biodiesel; CI: compression ignition; CO: carbon monoxide; CO2: carbon dioxide; CSO: cottonseed oil; DEE: diethyl ether; DOE: design of experiments; EGT: exhaust gas temperature; FTIR: Fourier transform infrared spectrometry; GC/MS: gas chromatogram/mass spectrometry; HC: hydrocarbon; HRR: heat release rate; HSDI: high speed direct injection; IDI: indirect injection; KOH: potassium hydroxide; MFB: mass fraction burned; NaOH: sodium hydroxide; NMR: nuclear magnetic resonance; N2O: nitrous oxide; NO: nitric oxide; NO2: nitrogen dioxide; NOx: oxides of nitrogen; ROHR: rate of heat release; ROPR: rate of pressure rise; SOC: start of combustion; aTDC: after top dead centre; bTDC: before top dead centre

Performance evaluation of cottonseed oil methyl esters produced using CaO and prediction with an artificial neural network

ABSTRACTThis study deals with the analysis of performance evaluation of refined cottonseed biodiesel produced with calcium oxide and using an artificial neural network (ANN) technique to predict the performance. A two-cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine fuelled with the standard diesel, biodiesel and their blends, operated at different engine speeds, was used. The experimental results revealed that blends of refined cottonseed oil methyl ester with diesel fuel gave better engine performance and improved emissions. Comparing the results with conventional diesel fuel, B20 gave similar brake power, brake specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency, and lower carbon (II) oxide and hydrocarbon, with the noticeable presence of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission. The ANN model predicted the engine performance with correlation coefficients (R) of 0.97433, 0.99142 and 0.97889 for the engine brake power, brake specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency, respectively. The mean square error between the desired outputs as measured and simulated by the model was 0.0001. Therefore the biodiesel produced from refined cottonseed oil performed better when blended with a small quantity of petrol diesel, and ANN proved to be a desirable prediction method in the evaluation of engine parameters.