Combustion analysis of a direct injection diesel engine when fuelled with sunflower methyl ester and its diesel blends

Abstract

Uncertainty in the availability of petroleum-based fuels in the near future and stringent pollution norms have triggered a search for renewable and clean-burning fuels. The use of vegetable oil as an alternative fuel has for long been in the pipeline, but its direct use has been limited because of its higher viscosity. In this work, sunflower oil was taken as feedstock and the feasibility of sunflower oil methyl ester (SFME) as an alternative fuel for diesel engines was investigated. Tests were conducted in a 4.4 kW, single cylinder, naturally aspirated direct injection diesel engine. It was observed that the premixed combustion phase of SFME and its blends were less intense compared with diesel oil. In addition, it was observed that SFME and its blends had slightly lower thermal efficiency and lower tailpipe emissions than diesel oil.