Experimental Studies on use of Karanja Biodiesel as Blend in a Compression Ignition Engine

Abstract

Ecological system is being affected adversely by the use of diesel engines which causes harmful emissions. Alternative sources are being found  to sort out this problem. Biodiesel is one of the alternative source.  Nowadays, there is a focus on the non-edible oils to use it as biodiesel because of its capability to be available on waste lands. Karanja is one of the non-edible oil, which may be  preferred to be used as biodiesel because of its certain advantages on diesel engine comparatively. This experimental study was  aimed to find out performance characteristics and smoke emission with 10%, 20% and 30% biodiesel blend with diesel at varying loads (brake power) of 0.5 to 3.5 kW at a constant speed of 1500 rpm. Brake thermal efficiency, brake specific energy consumption, exhaust gas temperature, mechanical efficiency, volumetric efficiency, air fuel ratio and smoke opacity  of biodiesel blended fuel were evaluated and  compared with diesel and it has been  found satisfactory. Brake thermal efficiency of 20% biodiesel blend fuel was found to be slightly higher  than that of diesel with reduced smoke emissions.  Brake thermal efficiency of B20 and diesel was found to be 29.04% and 29% respectively at 3.5 kW brake power. On the basis of experimental study, the B20 Karanja biodiesel blend is found more useful among all tested fuels in terms of brake thermal efficiency. Smoke opacity was also found to be reduced with Karanja biodiesel blends. Hence Karanja biodiesel is proved to be an environmentally friendly alternative to diesel.