Engine Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Direct Injection Diesel Engine Fuelled with 1- Hexanol as a Fuel Additive in Mahua Seed Oil Biodiesel Blends

Abstract

The increasing industrialization and motorization of the world has led to a steep rise for the demand of petroleum products. Petroleum based fuels are obtained from limited reserves. In the wake of this situation, there is an urgent need to promote use of alternative fuel which must be technically feasible, economically competitive, environmentally acceptable and readily available. In the present study, Mahua seed oil methyl esters (MSOME) were prepared through transesterification and evaluation of important physico-chemical properties was carried and the properties were found within acceptable limits. A compression ignition engine was fuelled with three blends of MSOME with diesel (10, 20 and 30% on volume basis) and various performance and emission characteristics were evaluated and results compared with baseline data of diesel. The results suggest the BTE was higher for MSOME blends and BSFC, HC and smoke opacity were lower as compared to diesel fuel. This may be attributed to improved combustion for MSOME are oxygenated fuels and have higher cetane number. The values of NOx were found almost nearer for all blends as compared to diesel. Addition of 1-hexanol (Ignition improver) 0.5%, 1% volume ratios to the optimum blend (MSOME30) for evaluating the engine performance and emissions parameters and the main purpose of ignition improver is to improve combustion process and reduction in engine emissions. Finally results shows that performance and emissions have been to justify the potentiality of the mahua seed oil methyl esters as alternative fuel for compression ignition engines without any modifications