Experimental Investigation of the Emission and Performance Characteristics of a DI Diesel Engine Fueled with the Vachellia nilotica Seed Oil Methyl Ester and Diesel Blends

Abstract

The rapid growth in industrialization steadily increased the energy demand. The world’s population ultimately depends on petroleum as a major share of fuel for transportation and industrialization. Even though it is widely used in various sectors, its emission into the atmosphere creates serious problems in the form of acid rain, smog, etc. This present experimental investigation highlights the utilization of Vachellia nilotica seed oil methyl ester (VNSOME) synthesized from Vachellia nilotica seed oil (VNSO) fueled in a diesel engine to assess the emission and performance characteristics. VNSOME is produced using the alkaline catalyst (NaOH) transesterification technique. Four different fuel blends of biodiesel, namely, VNSOME5, VNSOME10, VNSOME15, and VNSOME20, were prepared and fueled in an unmodified engine. The engine brake thermal efficiency is lower, the brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) using VNSOME20 is higher, and the temperature of exhaust gas emitted after combustion is increased. The thermal efficiency is reduced by 7.34% with increased BSFC and exhaust gas temperature (EGT) of 9.3 and 14.28%, respectively, as compared to diesel fuel. Similarly, using an optimized biodiesel blend (VNSOME20), the emission emitted such as HC and CO is reduced by 19.14 and 22.2%, respectively. However, the engine fueled with the VNSOME20 biodiesel blend increased the level of CO2 and NO x emitted into the atmosphere when compared to diesel fuel.

Synthesis of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester from Croton macrostachyus (Bisana) Kernel Oil: Parameter Optimization, Engine Performance, and Emission Characteristics for Croton macrostachyus Kernel Oil Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Blend with Mineral Diesel Fuel

“…On average, the HC in the exhaust gas was found to decrease by 2.07, 4.2, 6.24, and 8.32% while using the CMKO-FAME blend with B5, B10, B15, and B20, respectively. Similar results were observed for Karanja seed oil, 48 Vachellia nilotica seed oil, 35 Salvinia molesta oil, 67 and Jatropha –algae oil mixture 30 biodiesel blend with mineral diesel fuel.…”

“…Several FAMEs obtained from different feedstocks were tested with a blending ratio from 5 vol % (B5) to 20 vol % (B20) for engine performance and emission characteristics. 34 , 35 , 38 , 47 , 48 Hence, the blending ratios 5 (B5), 10 (B10), 15 (B15), and 20 vol % (B20) for C. macrostachyus kernel oil fatty acid methyl esters were used as they have not been reported before. For the present study, a four-stroke, single-cylinder, direct injection, and water-cooled diesel engine (R180 diesel engine) with a power output of 5.88 kW was used ( Figure 1 ), and the details of the engine specification are presented in Table 2 .…”

“…These results are in agreement with various reported researches in which the reduction of HC was attributed to the high oxygen content in biodiesel that leads to complete combustion. 34,35,67,74 The maximum concentrations of HC emission are 64 (B5), 63 (B10), 62 (B15), 61 (B20), and 65 ppm (B0), respectively, indicating that this value declines as the concentration of CMKOME increases. On average, the HC in the exhaust gas was found to decrease by 2.07, 4.2, 6.24, and 8.32% while using the CMKO-FAME blend with B5, B10, B15, and B20, respectively.…”

“…To provide a good balance of low temperature performance, low emissions, material compatibility, and the ability to act as a solvent, biodiesel has been used in diesel engines. 30,35 Significant research works have been reported with regard to the performance and emission characteristics of biodiesel derived from a variety of nonedible vegetable oils. Kumar et al 30 reported on the production of biodiesel based on Jatropha−algae oil mixtures and the effect of biodiesel blends (B0, B5, B10, and B20 vol %) on the performance and emissions in a diesel engine coupled with an electricity generator fueled by the blends.…”

“…In the same way, reduced HC and CO emission results with slightly increased NOx emission were found for B5, B10, and B20 vol % mixtures as compared to diesel fuel. Performance analysis on a diesel engine fueled with Vachellia nilotica seed oil methyl ester blends (5,10,15, and 20 vol % along with diesel fuel) was experimentally conducted by Sriharikota et al 35 The engine tests were implemented by varying the brake power from 0 to 3.5 kW. The engine performance result revealed a lower thermal efficiency (7.34%) with an increased BSFC of 9.3% and exhaust gas temperature (EGT) of 14.28% for B20 as compared to mineral diesel fuel (0 vol %).…”