Performance and Emission Characteristics of CI Engine Fuelled with Jatropha and Pongamia Biodiesel along with Alumina Nano particles

Abstract

In this study an experimental investigation has been carried out on compression ignition engine to understand the engine behaviour like its performance and emission characteristics while using Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) nano particle as additive with a blend of diesel and biodiesel sourced from Jatropha and Pongamia vegetable oil. The Alumina nano particles are characterized by X- ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The biodiesel is made engine ready with adoptable properties by carrying out standard alkali transesterification process. The alumina nano particles are blended with jatropha in the mass fractions of 50, 100, 150 ppm and with Pongamia biodiesel in the mass fractions of 40, 60 ppm using an ultrasonicator. The experiments are carried out in single cylinder four stroke variable compression ratio diesel engine by varying the load using eddy current dynamometer. The experimental results reveal that there is a significant improvement in the performance characteristics like brake thermal efficiency (BTHE) and brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and reduction in the emission constituents like carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbon (HC) but in turn increase in nitric oxide (NOx) emissions were observed.