Jatropha Biodiesel Research Articles

RSM Hybrid Modeling of a BSFC for a Single Cylinder Four Stroke CI Engine Fueled with Nano-additives Added to Diesel-biodiesel Fuel Blends

Introduction: The expanding need for fossil fuels emphasizes the necessity to comprehend renewable energy sources. Methods: This study examined the performance of a single-cylinder diesel engine using Jatropha biodiesel and aluminum dioxide—the research aimed to evaluate engine reactivity to compression ratio and load variations. The experiment employed with varitaion compression ratios. Results: This study used the Response Surface Methodology to find the best Brake Specific Fuel Consumption performance indicator location. The researchers used a Central Composite Design setup for analysis. A regression model employing the response surface approach was then created to predict fuel phase-out likelihood. Conclusion: This study examines multiple factors' effects. According to studies, Jatropha biodiesel and its blends may improve engine efficiency and lower brake-specific fuel consumption compared to diesel fuel. Minor input parameter modifications are needed to gain these benefits.

Performance and emissions of a CI engine using a diesel, jatropha biodiesel and biodiesel adopting Al2O3 nanomaterial as fuel blend.

A nanocomposites of aluminum dioxide was employed as a fuel additive in a compression engine test. Nanoparticle stability in diesel was measured by their impact on the fuel's flash point, density, and viscosity. When compared to other forms of fuel, conventional biodiesel has superior qualities. Al2O3 was also put through its paces in terms performance of engine and pollution testing. The thermal efficiency of the engine's brakes may be improved by adding nanoparticles in to the jatropha biodiesel. Using Al2O3 nanoparticles has been shown to reduce brake-specific fuel consumption by 23%. In addition, this solution can cut hydrocarbon emissions by 19%.

Multi-scale flow atomization characteristics of Jatropha biodiesel swirl liquid film breakup

The characteristics of the spray and droplets produced by liquid film breakup are crucial for understanding the atomization process in industrial furnace atomizers. This study employed high-speed camera technology to capture images of Jatropha biodiesel (JB) spray at various pressures and Ohnesorge numbers (Oh). Image processing methods were employed to analyze the evolution morphology and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) of fuel swirl spray, revealing the instability, breakup length, spray cone angle, fractal characteristics of the liquid film breakup zone, and droplet distribution characteristics. The results indicated that the JB jet evolution progressed through stages: cylindrical jet, torsion liquid film, open swirl, complete swirl, and fully developed mode. The evolution and disintegration of the liquid film exhibited a complex structure with ligaments, perforations, and droplet separation. Flow disturbances induced the Klystron effect, characterizing microscopic droplet motion. As spray pressure increased, the growth rate of the disturbance wave increased, the breakup length decreased, the atomization cone angle enlarged, and the fractal dimension (FD) of the liquid film breakup zone increased. The droplet size distribution followed a log-normal distribution, with a substantial increase in the number of small droplets as injection pressure increased. This study provides valuable insights into the multi-scale flow atomization of biodiesel in industrial furnace, and is of great significance for the design, operation, and optimization of spraying systems in various industrial applications.

Evaluation of Cobalt, Nickel, and Palladium Complexes as Catalysts for the Hydrogenation and Improvement of Oxidative Stability of Biodiesel

Developing effective catalysts that can selectively hydrogenate C=C bonds in biodiesel samples is vital as it tackles the major problem of oxidative stability, which greatly limits the utilization of biodiesel as an alternative fuel. In this work, Co, Ni, and Pd catalysts stabilized with the bidentate nitrogen ligands N-(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)pyridin-2-ylmethylimine and N-(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)picolinamide were synthesized, characterized, and used as pre-catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of C=C bonds in fatty acid methyl esters. The active catalysts from the Co, Ni, and Pd complexes sequentially hydrogenate the C18:2 chains to C18:1, which is further converted to C18:0 in the FAMEs of both methyl linoleate and jatropha biodiesel. The hydrogenation process was kinetically controlled, and after 3 h it yielded a biodiesel sample that contained 25.83% C16:0, 12.52% C18:2, 41.54% C18:1, 14.47% C18:0 and 3.0% C18:2 isomers. The un-hydrogenated jatropha diesel, hydrogenated jatropha diesel, and a B20 blend of jatropha were tested for susceptibility to oxidation reactions using the Rancimat method and FTIR spectroscopy, and the partial hydrogenation had improved the induction period by 3 h.

Mathematical Modeling and Comparative Analysis of Noise and Vibration Characteristics of CI Engine Fueled with Biodiesel

As an alternative to fossil fuels, renewable energy has the potential to replace diesel in CI engines, and therefore biodiesels such as nahar, jatropha, karanja, etc. are being used as a blend with diesel in CI engines. Since biodiesel is a sustainable fuel, numerous researchers have evaluated and contrasted its performance attributes with those of diesel. The end user’s comfort and level of fatigue following the usage of biodiesel blended with diesel, however, is an interesting area that requires further investigation. The current study aims to investigate the noise and vibration characteristics of unmodified and constant-speed CI engines powered by jatropha, nahar, or karanja biodiesel as a blend with diesel and also developed a mathematical model for noise and vibration responses. The vibration and sound pressure level were recorded using the FFT analyzer Brüel & Kjær Photon+ portable measuring system with RTPro software for different input parameters such as load, density, flash point, and calorific value at different levels for diesel D100 and biodiesel blends. Mathematical non-linear model was developed to predict the relationship between fuel properties and engine noise-vibration characteristics because the R square and adj. R square values of model is found to be close to each other. However, higher adj. R square value and p-value within 0.05 are the good criteria for selection of model.

Assessing the effect of different biodiesels on corrosion of nickel alloy

This investigation explores the corrosion behaviour of Ni alloy (UNS718), which is a potential material for storing biodiesel and making engine components. The study also examines the connection between Ni alloy corrosion and biodiesel degradation. Immersion tests were conducted using in-house biodiesels to evaluate the corrosion rates of Used Cooking Oil (UCOB), Karanja oil (KOB), and Jatropha oil (JOB) biodiesels on Ni alloy (UNS718). The results highlighted the role of corrosion product morphology and the formation of corrosion-driven pitting, cracks, etc., on Ni alloy when exposed to different biodiesels such as KOB, JOB, and UCOB. The study utilized gravimetric techniques to measure the corrosion rate and advanced analytical tools such as FESEM, EDS, XPS, NMR and XRF. It revealed decreased corrosion rates of Ni alloys with prolonged biodiesel immersion. For example, after 2160 h, Jatropha biodiesel exhibited a corrosion rate of 0.000699 mm/year, while the corrosion rates of Ni alloy exposed to UCOB and KOB were 0.001398 mm/year and 0.001048 mm/year, respectively. The study also suggests a detailed mechanism of Ni alloy corrosion when exposed to different biodiesels such as Karanja, Jatropha, and Used Cooking Oil.

A quantitative comparison of economic viability, volatile organic compounds, and particle-bound carbon emissions from a diesel engine fueled with biodiesel blends

Despite the environmental advantages of biofuel blends, detailed studies on emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), n-alkanes, and particle-bound carbon from diesel engines, particularly when fueled with biodiesel, remain limited. This study addresses these gaps by analyzing biodiesel blends from neem, linseed, and jatropha oils produced via mechanical extraction and assessing their impact on volatile organic compounds and particle-bound carbon emissions in diesel engine. Economic evaluations of production costs, engine modifications, and payback periods are also conducted. The result shows that jatropha biodiesel exhibits a calorific value of 35.7 MJ/kg, while neem biodiesel shows superior oxidative stability due to its low iodine value. Additionally, linseed biodiesel displays favorable cold flow properties due to its high density and cetane value. Compared to D100, the N10 and N30 blend notably reduced high molecular weight PAH emissions by 10.7 % and 38.4 %, respectively, with the N30 blend achieving a remarkable 76 % reduction in formaldehyde emissions. Conversely, the J10 blend increased specific PAHs, while the J30 blend reduced PAHs by 21.3 %. Both L10 and L30 blends showed reduced naphthalene emissions, with the J30 blend notably reducing elemental carbon (EC) by 31.4 %, although organic carbon (OC) slightly increased. In contrast, the N30 blend decreased both EC and OC emissions, demonstrating a dose-dependent relationship between biodiesel concentration and emissions reduction. Overall, Jatropha biodiesel blends offer the best balance of economic efficiency and emission reductions, resulting in shorter payback periods and lower carcinogenic risks. Neem and linseed blends also provide environmental benefits but with varying economic implications, highlighting the trade-offs between production costs and long-term sustainability.

Biodiesel production from eggshells derived bio-nano CaO catalyst–Microemulsion fuel blends for up-gradation of biodiesel

The utilization of bio-oil derived from biomass presents a promising alternative to fossil fuels, though it faces challenges when directly applied in diesel engines. Microemulsification has emerged as a viable strategy to enhance bio-oil properties, facilitating its use in hybrid fuels. This study explores the microemulsification of Jatropha bio-oil with ethanol, aided by a surfactant, to formulate a hybrid liquid fuel. Additionally, a bio-nano CaO heterogeneous catalyst synthesized from eggshells is employed to catalyse the production of Jatropha biodiesel from the microemulsified fuel using microwave irradiation. The catalyst is characterized through UV–Vis, XRD, and SEM analysis. The investigation reveals a significant reduction in CO, CO2, and NOX emissions with the utilization of microemulsion-based biodiesel blends. Various blends of conventional diesel, Jatropha biodiesel, and ethanol are prepared with different ethanol concentrations (5, 10, and 20 wt%). Engine performance parameters, including fuel consumption, NOX emission, and brake specific fuel consumption, are analyzed. Results indicate that the conventional diesel/Jatropha biodiesel/ethanol (10 wt%) blend exhibits superior performance compared to conventional diesel, Jatropha biodiesel, and other blends.The fuel consumption of the conventional diesel/Jatropha biodiesel/ethanol (10 wt%) blend is measured at 554.6 g/h, surpassing that of conventional diesel and other biodiesel blends. The presence of water (0.14 %) in the blend reduces the heating value, consequently increasing the energy requirement. CO and CO2 emissions for the conventional diesel/Jatropha biodiesel/ethanol (10 wt%) blend are notably lower compared to conventional C-18 hydrocarbons and various biodiesel blends. These findings accentuate the efficacy of the microemulsion process in enhancing fuel characteristics and reducing emissions. Further investigations could explore optimizing the emulsifying agents and their impact on engine performance and emission characteristics, contributing to the advancement of sustainable fuel technologies.

Experimental study of particulate matter emission for a diesel engine fueled with nanoparticles and biofuel / diesel blends

There has been a lot of interest in alternative fuels due to the depletion of petroleum supplies and growing environmental concerns. Biodiesel is made from renewable resources and is one of the many practical and beneficial fuel substitutes for fossil fuels. Recent advancements in nanotechnology have made it feasible to use nanoparticles as fuel additives for internal combustion engines. An earlier study suggested that these compounds might enhance engine performance. There has been a concern that this may increase the particulate matter emitted with the exhaust which adversely affects the air quality. The size-distribution of unregulated particulate matter (PM) emitted with exhaust gases is examined in this work. Under various load conditions, PM exhaust emissions were examined while keeping the engine running at a constant 1350 rpm. A nanoparticles of 50 parts per milligram of Aluminum oxide Al2O3 and Iron oxide Fe2O3 into the jatropha biodiesel / diesel fuel blend. When the engine is fueled with blend of diesel, biodiesel, and nanoparticles ternary fuel, it created fewer particulate matter emissions than the diesel/biodiesel binary blend which contains no nanoparticles. In comparison to pure diesel fuel, the diesel/biodiesel blend binary combination produced 10–15 % less PM1, PM2.5, PM7, and PM10 emissions which is very critical to air pollution problem with the fine/very fine particles.

A comparative study of diesel engine fueled by Jatropha and Castor biodiesel: Performance, emissions, and sustainability assessment

The increasing scarcity of fossil fuels and environmental concerns have driven the search for sustainable alternatives, such as biodiesel. This study aims to evaluate the performance, emissions, and sustainability of biodiesel derived from Jatropha and Castor seeds when used in diesel engines. Biodiesel production was achieved through the transesterification process, addressing atomization challenges, and enhancing combustion efficiency. The research compared various blends of biodiesel and conventional diesel fuel (B20, B40, and B60) across different engine loads, from no load to full load. Key findings revealed that biodiesel blends exhibited comparable properties to conventional diesel. Jatropha biodiesel showed superior performance and lower emissions compared to Castor biodiesel. The B20 blend consistently demonstrated the best performance and reduced emissions across all engine loads. Specifically, biodiesel resulted in lower brake thermal efficiency (BTE), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbon (HC), and smoke emissions compared to conventional diesel, but higher exhaust gas temperature (EGT), brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The increase in NOx emissions was linked to higher EGT, while other emissions were influenced by the biodiesel’s viscosity and cetane number. The study concluded that the B20 blend of Jatropha and Castor biodiesel offers a viable alternative to conventional diesel, reducing CO2 and CO emissions by 22–10 % and increasing NOx emissions by 8 %. These results suggest significant potential for biodiesel to contribute to sustainable transportation, highlighting the importance of optimizing biodiesel blends for improved engine performance and lower environmental impact. These findings highlight the promising potential of Jatropha and Castor biodiesel as substitutes for diesel fuel, indicating advancements in fuel technology.

Prediction of the Performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine using diphenylamine Antioxidant and ceria nanoparticle additives with biodiesel based on machine learning

This study explores the impact of incorporating antioxidants diphenylamine (DPA) and nanoparticle ceria (CeO2) into Jatropha biodiesel (B30) blend on engine performance and exhaust emissions. The fuel blends utilized in this study consists of diesel, B30, B30 with 100 ppm of antioxidant diphenylamine (B30+DPA100), and B30 with 50 ppm of antioxidant diphenylamine and 50 ppm of nanoparticle ceria (B30+DPA50+CeO250). The experiments were designed using the design of experiment methodology, and they were conducted using various fuels to assess both engine performance and exhaust emissions characteristics. Further, machine learning algorithms (multilayer perceptron, random forest regression, and K-nearest neighbors) has been employed to develop a model for accurately predicting experimental outcomes. The K-nearest neighbors model surpassed the multilayer perceptron and random forest regression models, demonstrating a higher coefficient of determination value and precise outcome predictions. The experimental results reveal that adding antioxidants diphenylamine and nanoparticles ceria at 50 ppm to B30 significantly reduced nitrogen oxides emissions. Compared to B30, B30+DPA50+CeO250 showed a 6.35 % decrease in brake specific fuel consumption and an 8.68 % reduction in nitrogen oxides emissions. However, there was a slight increase of 5.74 % in brake thermal efficiency. Additionally, B30+DPA50+CeO250 exhibited a 2.54 % reduction in maximum cylinder pressure compared to B30.

Optimization of Transesterification Process for Biodiesel Production using Jatropha Oil

Biodiesel has attracted considerable attention during the past decade as a renewable, biodegradable, and nontoxic fuel alternative to fossil fuels. Biodiesel can be obtained from vegetable oils (both edible and non-edible) and from animal fat. Biodiesel was produced through esterification of Jatropha oil using an alkaline catalyst. The process was carried out at the reaction temperatures of 63 and 55°C, with a 6:1-11:1 oil to methanol molar ratio, and the concentration was verified. In this research work, a yield of 91.78% and 80% was achieved. Furthermore, the flash point of 129.1°C obtained indicates that the biodiesel is within the specification of ASTM. Jatropha curcas Linnaeus, a multipurpose plant, contains a high amount of oil in its seeds which can be converted to biodiesel. J. curcas is probably the most highly promoted oilseed crop at present in the world. The availability and sustainability of sufficient supplies of less expensive feedstock in the form of vegetable oils, particularly J. curcas, and efficient processing technology to biodiesel will be crucial determinants of delivering competitive biodiesel. Oil contents, physicochemical properties, and fatty acid composition of J. curcas are reported in research. The fuel properties of Jatropha biodiesel are comparable to those of fossil diesel and conform to the ASTM standard. The objective of this review is to give an update on the J. curcas L. plant, the production of biodiesel from the seed oil, and research attempts to improve the technology of converting vegetable oil to biodiesel and the fuel properties of Jatropha biodiesel. There is also a need to carry out a lifecycle assessment and assess the environmental impacts of introducing large-scale plantations. Furthermore, there is still a dearth of research about the influence of various cultivation-related factors and their interactions and influence on seed yield. The formation of biodiesel was confirmed by FT-IR and GC-MS analysis, and the conversion of ester functional group into methyl esters was verified, and characteristic properties of biodiesel were successfully determined. Keywords: Biodiesel, Jatropha oil, transesterification, catalyst, optimization, renewable energy and sustainability

Evaluating the effect of diethyl ether and moringa oleifera antioxidant additives on the performance and emission characteristics of jatropha biodiesel-diesel blended fuel on CI engine – An experimental investigation

Alternative fuels can be produced from both non-edible feedstocks and edible crops. The higher production costs and contaminating nature of vegetable biofuels, which cause engine component failure, make it conceivable to encourage the synthesis of biodiesel from non-edible sources. One of the most widely utilized alternative fuels is Jatropha biofuel, which has performance levels comparable to diesel fuels and can be used with CI (Compression Ignition) engines without any modifications. However when it comes to oxidative stability properties that impact shelf life and commercialization, the majority of biodiesels—including Jatropha—are lacking. Therefore, the objective of this study was to enhance the oxidative stability and other physicochemical parameters, such performance and emission characteristics, of Jatropha biodiesel with diesel blends by adding additives like DEE (diethyl ether) and MA (moringa oleifera antioxidant). The seeds of jatropha and moringa were harvested by hand and then mechanically extracted with a screw press. A conical flask containing the precisely weighed amount of oil is filled with 50 mL of neutral alcohol. The combination is then heated for an hour using a water condenser over a bath. Using phenolphthalein indicator, the contents are titrated with KOH solution after cooling. Weight of oil taken (w)/volume of KOH used (mL) × normality of KOH is the formula used to determine the acidity value of jatropha oil. It is therefore below the minimum level set by ASTM D 675, which is 2.5 mg KOH/g. Methanol was used in the transesterification process to produce biodiesel, and potassium hydroxide (KOH) was used as a catalyst. Then, using 5 % DEE and 10 % MA additives, the physicochemical properties of jatropha biodiesel—such as density, kinematics viscosity, calorific value, and oxidative stability—were characterized. The percentage of improvement of the biodiesel's mentioned properties with these additives was 0.68 %, 2.8 %, 0.73 %, and 33.8 %, respectively. The brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of B40MA10DEE05D45 increased by 8.52 % whereas the brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of B50MA10DEE05D35, which is Made up of 44 % diesel, 50 % jatropha biodiesel, 5 % DEE, and 10 % MA fuels, declined by 5.14 %. As a result of these additions, the blended fuel's CO, HC, and NOx emissions were reduced by 3.51 %, 2.25 %, and 8.64 %, respectively. Therefore, a 20 % blend of Jatropha biodiesel and diesel containing antioxidants from Moringa can be used in compression ignition engines without the need for engine modifications and with high oxidation stability.

Facile synthesis of Fe3O4@biochar@SO3H as magnetically separable Bronsted acid nanocatalyst for biodiesel production from different oil feedstocks

A novel magnetically separable Fe3O4@biochar@SO3H catalyst was developed from mesua assamica (King & prain) waste seed shells biochar for cost-effective biodiesel production using novel mesua assamica seed oil, jatropha oil, and soybean oil. The magnetic solid acid catalyst was synthesized via impregnation of biochar with Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles followed by sulfonation techniques. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis suggested the successful sulfonation and existence of –SO3H groups on catalyst surface. The synthesized magnetic acidic catalyst possesses total acidity of 3.9 mmol g−1 and –SO3H density of 1.8 mmol g−1. The field emission transmission electron microscopy (FETEM) led core-shell structured catalyst particle demonstrated a mean size of 87.4 nm and the surface area of 71.47 m2 g−1. The acidic catalyst easily afforded maximum yield of 96.8% mesua assamica biodiesel, 95.3% jatropha biodiesel, and 95.8% soybean biodiesel under optimized reaction parameters. The kinetic investigation suggested the occurrence of pseudo first order kinetics with activation energy of 32.42 kJ mol−1. The magnetically separable catalyst also displayed promising activity and stability up to 3rd cycle with more than 75% biodiesel yield.

Analysis and optimisation of emissions and fuel economy of biodiesel fuelled CI engine using Taguchi technique

The objectives of the present work are to examine the combined effect of engine operating and injection parameters and to optimise these parameters for better fuel economy, performance, and reduced emissions. The fuels used were diesel and biodiesel blends of Jatropha and Karanja biodiesel. The results indicate that diesel gives higher thermal efficiency at low loads, however, the 20% jatropha blend was slightly more efficient, at high loads. It was observed that the BSFC increases when the EGR is varied from 0% to 20%. Even though the smoke opacity increases with increased EGR, advanced injection at 28o BTDC decreases smoke. Increased EGR also reduced NOx emissions by up to 11%. Blending also has a significant impact on the output parameters. Taguchi analysis was applied to optimise the performance and emission characteristics of the diesel engine and set of input values were obtained for the optimum performance under different conditions.

Influence of phenolic antioxidant additives on performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine fuelled with Jatropha biodiesel: A sustainable hybrid model using RSM and ANFIS

This study aimed to assess the inclusion of antioxidant diphenylamine (DPA) to a Jatropha biodiesel (B30) blend to affects engine performance and exhaust emissions. In this research, three fuel blends has been utilized: diesel, B30, and 100 ppm of antioxidant diphenylamine is added to the B30 blend referred to as B30 + DPA100. A Response Surface Methodology (RSM) has been employed to analyze experimental data, resulting in the development of a regression equation. Additionally, an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) has been employed to assess and verify the consistency of the developed model. The results from the experiments revealed that the inclusion of the antioxidant had a notable impact on reducing NOx emissions with only a slight effect on brake thermal efficiency (BTHE). Specifically, B30 + DPA100 showed a 7.48 and 15.53% decrease in average NOx emissions, while the average BTHE experienced a modest 0.78% decrease and a 2.67% increase compared to diesel and B30 biodiesel blend, respectively. The Brake Mean Effective Pressure (BMEP) of B30 + DPA100 has been found to be 3.91% and 1.3% higher than diesel and B30, respectively. The Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) was 8.68% lower than B30 but 1.49% higher than diesel. Overall, these findings suggest that B30 + DPA100 can be used in diesel engines without modification, offering reduced NOx emissions.

Analyzing the Performance and Emissions of Diesel Engines with Jatropha Biodiesel Using Both Numerical and Experimental Methods

Analyzing the Performance and Emissions of Diesel Engines with Jatropha Biodiesel Using Both Numerical and Experimental Methods

Evaluation of the Rate of Reduction of Greenhouse Gases from Diesel Engine Powered with Jatropha Curcas Seed Oil Blend Diesel

As part of the effort to reduce greenhouse gases emissions and lower its negative effects on climate change, this study was conceived with the aim of evaluating the rate of reduction of greenhouse gases emission from diesel engine powered with Jatropha Curcas seed oil blend diesel. The study produced biodiesel from the oil extracted from the Jatrophha Curcas seed using trans-esterification method. The amount of CO2, SO2 and NO2 emitted from a diesel engine powered with conventional oil and jatropha biodiesel blend were determined to ascertain whether there was reduction or increment in percentage of emissions. Laboratory analysis of Jatropha Curcas oil shows that 131.9524g jatropha curcas seed yielded 90.559ml of biodiesel and 41.2437ml of glycerol. Conventional diesel and Jatropha curcas biodiesel produced has similar physiochemical characteristics confirmed through ASTM(US) and DIN(EN) hence their combustibility. CO2 emissions increased with increase in diesel at B100 and B50 while it decreases in B20 and B40. While NO2 emissions increased by 1% in all the revolutions per minute, SO2 was only detected at B100 and B50 emission of the greenhouse gases. From the questionnaire survey conducted at Egbema, it was found that gas flaring has serious adverse effect on vegetation in the area, significant negative effect on the economy of the area due to the rise in air pollution. The result of the laboratory experiments showed that blended green diesel reduces the emission of greenhouse gases from combustion of diesel. The study recommended adoption of renewable energy sources for the operation of the oil firms in Egbema the study therefore concluded that blended green diesel is a promising alternative fuel for internal combustion engines.

Response Surface Methodology-based Optimization of Variable Compression Ratio Diesel Engine Characteristics with Jatropha Biodiesel

The use of biodiesels as a potential alternative to fossil fuels has significantly increased in the past few decades owing to their clean and renewable nature. The present work has considered jatropha oil as the feedstock for biodiesel due to its properties similar to that of petroleum diesel, large-scale availability, and improved engine characteristics. The brake thermal efficiency and brake-specific fuel consumption have been analyzed for estimating the engine performance while the emissions of hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen have been considered for the exhaust emission. Further, the response surface methodology has been adopted for the optimization of the different engine characteristics. The response surface methodology has identified optimal engine characteristics of a variable ratio compression ignition engine for biodiesel with 10% jatropha oil methyl ester at 18:1 compression ratio and 50% engine load. The desired factor of 0.615 and inaccuracy less than 5% of the present analysis can be considered as suitable and acceptable for the optimal parameters.

Experimental Investigation and Performance Evaluation of Jatropha Oil-Biodiesel Blending with Kerosene for Domestic Cooking and Lighting Applications.

Reducing indoor air pollution and the related costs requires developing efficient cooking and lighting technologies as well as alternative energy sources. The appropriateness of virgin jatropha (Jatropha curcas) oil, its biodiesel, and the blending of these fuels with kerosene for wick stove lighting and cooking was examined in this study. To describe the fuel performance, a range of blending ratios were examined and characterizations were made of the fuel's density, calorific value, boiling point, viscosity, and rate of fuel consumption. To assess the fuels' thermal degradation behaviors, thermogravimetric and water boiling tests were performed. An air pollution meter was used to describe the levels of indoor air pollution. According to the findings, the virgin oil from Jatropha has a kinematic viscosity of 30.1 mm2/s. The 50% jatropha oil and 80% biodiesel blended with kerosene showed a reduction in viscosity of 72.6% and 46.8%, respectively. The thermal efficiency of the virgin oil, its biodiesel, and blending of these fuels with kerosene was in the range of 10-48%. Complete degradation of jatropha oil, its biodiesel, and 40 : 60 ratio of jatropha biodiesel and kerosene blend was conducted in the temperature range of 480-700 k, 185-280.6 K, and 100-300 K, respectively. The activation energies of jatropha oil, biodiesel, and kerosene blend (40 : 60) were 191.3, 73, and 25 kJ/mol, respectively. The average concentrations of particulate matter and carbon monoxide for pure jatropha oil biodiesel were 209.71 µg/m3 and 5.5 mg/kg, respectively. Thus, jatropha biodiesel and its blending with kerosene are suitable fuels for cooking and lighting operations in rural communities who are living far from the electrical grid compared with virgin oil fuel.