Faculty Publications

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Author: search.filters.author.Kapilan, N.

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    Effect of Diethyl Ether on the Performance and Emission of a 4 - S Di Diesel Engine
    (SAE International, 2004) Mohanan, P.; Kapilan, N.; Reddy, R.P.
    Dimethyl Ether (DME), the methanol analog to Diethyl Ether (DEE), was recently reported as a low emission, high quality diesel fuel replacement. Literature review indicates that significant work is not carried out with respect to its performance analysis and in regard to pollution levels. In the present work, the effect of DEE on the performance and emissions of a four-stroke direct injection diesel engine have been studied. Tests were conducted on the diesel engine with different blends of DEE and diesel as fuel. Test results show that 5 % DEE blend gives better performance and low emissions compared to other blends of DEE and diesel fuel. Hence, 5 % DEE can be blended with diesel fuel to improve the performance and to reduce emissions of the diesel engine. © 2003 SAE International.
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    Studies on esters of coconut oil as fuel for LPG-Biodiesel dual fuel engine
    (American Society of Mechanical Engineers Three Park Avenue New York NY 10016-5990, 2003) Kapilan, N.; Reddy, R.P.; Mohanan, P.
    The rapid depletion in world petroleum reserves and uncertainty in petroleum supply due to political and economical reasons, as well as, the sharp escalation in the petroleum prices, have stimulated the search for alternatives to petroleum based fuels specially diesel and gasoline. Biodiesel is one of the renewable fuels, which will be the good replacement to diesel. But as a sole fuel, it gives poor performance and higher emissions. From the literature survey, it is observed that not much work has been done to use Methyl Ester (ME) of coconut oil as liquid fuel in sole and dual fuel mode of operation. Hence, in the present work, ME of coconut oil is chosen as a sole fuel to run the diesel engine and an alternative pilot fuel to run LPG-Biodiesel dual fuel engine. In dual fuel mode operation, LPG is used as the inducted gaseous fuel. LPG has been chosen as the inducted fuel on account of its easy availability in abundance in the present time. The existing compression ignition diesel engine was modified to work on dual fuel mode. Tests were carried out on a single cylinder, four strokes, water-cooled, direct injection, compression ignition engine using ME of coconut oil as fuel. To study the effect of injection timing, its is advanced and retarded from the standard injection timing recommended for diesel operation. From the results, it is observed that the advanced injection timing results in better performance and lower emissions of the diesel engine. In dual fuel mode operation, first the engine was started with ME of coconut oil as fuel and then the LPG flow rate was increased. With appropriate proportions of the injected (0.45, 0.65 and 0.75 kg/hr) and inducted fuels it is possible to improve the engine performance and reduce its emissions. From the experimental results, it is found that the pilot fuel rate of 0.65 kg/hr is preferred from the point view of brake thermal efficiency, fuel consumption and smooth running. ME of coconut oil were successfully used as sole fuel and pilot fuel. The performance and emission of the engine in sole fuel mode with better injection timing and dual fuel mode with better pilot quantity were compared. From the comparison, it is observed that the ME of coconut oil can be used as pilot fuel in dual fuel engine compared to sole fuel with regard to performance and emissions.
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    Experimental investigations on a compressed natural gas operated dual fuel engine
    (2005) Kapilan, N.; Somayaji, C.; Mohanan, P.; Reddy, R.P.
    In the present work, an attempt has been made for the effective utilization of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in diesel engine. A four stroke, single cylinder diesel engine was modified to work on dual fuel mode. The effect of CNG flow rate and Exhaust Gas Recirclulation (EGR) on the performance and emissions of the dual fuel engine was studied. The variables considered for the tests were different CNG flow rates (0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7 kg/hr), EGR (0%, 4.28%, 6.63 % and 8.12%) and loads (25%, 50%, 75% and 100 % of full load). From the test results, it was observed that the EGR rate of 4.28 % results in better brake thermal efficiency and lower CO and NOx emissions than other ERG rates at 25%, 50% and 75% of full loads. At full load, EGR rate of 8.12 % results in higher brake thermal efficiency and lower NOx emissions. Copyright © 2005by ASME.
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    Effect of injection timing and compression ratio on the performance and emissions of 2 -S SI engine with in-cylinder injection of methanol
    (SAE International, 2005) Kapilan, N.; Reddy, R.P.; Prakash, T.P.
    Producing and using renewable fuels for transportation is one approach for a sustainable energy for India, as well as the rest of the world. In the transportation sector, alcohols produced from biomass shows promise as an alternative fuel for spark ignited (SI) engines because of its high octane number. In the present work, methanol was used as an alternative fuel. In two stroke engines, In-cylinder injection of fuel results in excellent fuel economy potentional with lesser emissions. The objective of this work was to study the effect of injection timing and compression ratio on the performance and emissions of the engine. An air cooled, constant speed, single cylinder, two stroke, spark ignition scooter engine was modified to work in fuel injection mode. The performance of the modified engine was compared with the base engine. From the experimental results it was observed that the injection timing of 40°BEPC and compression ratio of 8.56:1 gives better performance and lower emissions than the base engine. Copyright © 2005 SAE International.
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    Effect of injection pressure on the performance and emission of diesel engine using blend of methyl esters of karanja oil and diesel as fuel
    (SAE International, 2006) Kapilan, N.; Reddy, R.P.; Basavaraj, T.
    There is an increasing interest in India to search for suitable alternative fuels that are environment friendly. This led to the choice of karanja oil as one of the main alternative fuel to diesel oil. Karanja Oil Methyl Ester (KOME) was prepared by transesterfication method. In the present work, blend of diesel and karanja oil methyl ester (B20) were used as fuel and the effect of injection pressure on the performance and emissions of a direct injected, four stroke, single cylinder diesel engine was studied. Results showed that for the B20 blend, the injection pressure of 200 bar results in better performance and lower emissions than other injection pressures. The brake thermal efficiency of karanja methyl ester at 200 bar was comparable with diesel. The engine emissions such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen and smoke emission were lower than diesel operation. Based on this study, it is observed that the B20 blend can be used as fuel in diesel engine with the injection pressure of 200 bar. © © 2006 SAE International and Copyright © 2006 SAE Japan.
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    Effect of injection time on the performance and emissions of LPG ME of mahua oil dual fuel engine
    (SAE International, 2007) Kapilan, N.; Reddy, R.P.
    There is an increasing interest in India, to search for suitable alternative fuels that are environment friendly. This led to the choice of non edible mahua oil as one of the main alternative fuels to diesel oil. Hence in the present work, Methyl Ester of Mahua Oil (MEMO) was used as pilot fuel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) was used as primary fuel. A single cylinder, direct injection, four stroke, diesel engine was modified to work in dual fuel mode and the effect of injection time on the performance and emission of the dual fuel engine was studied. During tests, the engine was running smoothly with the MEMO. From the test results, it is observed that, at part loads, the advanced injection timing of 30° bTDC results in slight increase in brake thermal efficiency and lower exhaust emissions as compared to rated injection timing of 27° bTDC and retarded injection timing of 25° bTDC. Copyright © 2007 SAE International.
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    Performance and emission studies of diesel engine using diethyl ether as oxygenated fuel additive
    (SAE International, 2008) Kapilan, N.; Mohanan, P.; Reddy, R.P.
    There is currently interest in finding means to improve motor vehicle fuel economy while complying with emissions regulations. Fuel additives have been widely reported to improve engine cleanliness and performance with diesel engines. Diethyl Ether (DEE) has high octane number and compatible with current vehicle technology and fuel infrastructure. Although DEE has long been known as a cold start aid for engines, knowledge about using DEE for other operations, such as significant component of a blend or additive is limited. In this present work, experiments were conducted to study the influence of DEE on the performance and emissions of a 4-S direct injection diesel engine. From the experimental results, it is observed that the addition of DEE to diesel fuel improves the performance of the diesel engine. A slight improvement in the thermal efficiency and reduction in smoke, carbon moNOxide and hydro carbon emissions were observed with B5 Blend (5 % DEE + 95 % Diesel). © 2008 SAE International.
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    Preparation and evaluation of mechanical properties of Al-6061 reinforced with graphite and fly ash of seed husk (Honge) particulate metal matrix composite
    (Institution of Engineering and Technology jbristow@theiet.org, 2013) Edrard, C.; Kapilan, N.; Herbert, M.A.
    The aim of this work is to study the mechanical properties of Aluminium alloy Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) as they are gaining wide spread acceptance for automobile, industrial, and aerospace applications because of their low density, high strength and good structural rigidity. In the present work an attempt has been made to synthesize Al- 6061 with Graphite and fly ash of seed husk (Honge seeds) particulate metal matrix composites by using stir casting technique. The addition level of reinforcement is being varied from 0,4,6,8wt%. Preheated particle reinforcements are added to Al 6061 Alloy to improve wettability and distribution. Microstructural analysis was carried out for the above prepared composites by taking specimens from central portion of the casting to ensure homogeneous distribution of particles. Micro-hardness, tensile properties of the composites were studied as per the ASTM (E8M) standards. Microstructural characterization revealed fairly uniform distribution in the matrix. The Micro-Vickers hardness of the composite was found to decrease with increase in filler content in the composite. The density of both theoretically and experimentally of FA is higher then Gr. The tensile strength of the composites was found to increase confirming the dispersed graphite and fly-ash in Al-6061 alloy contributed in enhancing the tensile strength and wear resistance too of the composites.
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    Technical aspects of biodiesel and its oxidation stability
    (2009) Kapilan, N.; Ashok Babu, T.P.; Reddy, R.P.
    Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative renewable fuel made from natural renewable sources. It is defined as mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, which conform to ASTM specifications for use in diesel engines. Biodiesel present a very promising alternative fuel to diesel oil and properties of this oil offer the advantage of immediate substitution in existing diesel engines with little or no modifications at all. But one of the major technical problems associated with the biodiesel is its susceptibility to oxidation, which can cause the fuel to become acidic and to form insoluble gums and sediments that can plug fuel filters. This is due to the unsaturated fatty acid chains and the presence of the double bond in the molecule, which produce a high level of reactivity with the oxygen, especially when it placed in contact with air. The oxidation of fatty acid chains is a complex process that proceeds by a variety of mechanisms. The various other factors influence the oxidation process of biodiesel includes light, temperature, extraneous materials, peroxides, size of the surface area between biodiesel and air. One of the methods of improving biodiesel oxidative stability includes the deliberate addition of antioxidants or modification of the fatty ester profile. This article discusses the technical aspects of biodiesel and its oxidation stability.
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    A comprehensive review on evaporative cooling systems
    (Elsevier B.V., 2023) Kapilan, N.; Isloor, A.M.; Karinka, S.
    The evaporative cooling system (ECS) is one of the cheapest and oldest cooling technologies. The conventional single stage ECS is most widely used in domestic application, particularly in hot and dry regions. However, in this system, the temperature of the air cannot be reduced below the wet bulb temperature of the air. The multistage ECS system helps to overcome this problem. The combination of direct and indirect ECS helps to reduce the temperature of the air below its wet bulb temperature. The further reduction in air temperature may be achieved with the help of the cooling coil driven by vapour compression system. The energy consumed by the ECS is lower as compared to vapour compression refrigeration system. The ECS can be driven with the help of solar power. The conventional cooling pad used in ECS can be replaced with locally available natural fibers to reduce initial cost and to reduce dependence on import of cooling pads. The performance of the ECS can be improved with the help of heat pipe. Various techniques are used to enhance ECS's performance. The performance of the vapour compression refrigeration system can be improved with the help of ECS. This paper discusses basics and types of ECS, methods used to increase the performance of ECS, types of natural fiber cooling pad material, process variables affecting ECS, recent technical advancements, challenges and opportunities. © 2023 The Authors