Performance and emission analysis of a single cylinder CI engine using Simarouba glauca biodiesel

Abstract

It is well known fact that diesel engines are commonly used for transportation and power generation due to their high efficiency, low fuel consumption and durability. On contrary these engines churn out harmful and hazardous emissions like particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NO<inf>x</inf>). Recently Bio-origin renewable fuels have taken center stage of discussion because of their ability to replace depleting fossil fuels and capacity to reduce hazardous engine exhausts emissions when used in diesel engines. In the present experimental study Simarouba glauca biodiesel is used in a naturally aspirated four stroke single cylinder air cooled direct injection kirloskar DA10 engine. The main objective is to investigate the effect of biodiesel and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on the performance and emission characteristics of a CI engine at 180 bar fuel injection pressure (FIP) with standard injection timing. B20, B40 biodiesel blends with 10, 15 and 20% EGR ratios were used for the study to investigate brake thermal efficiency (BTE), carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (UBHC), NO<inf>x</inf>, and smoke opacity. Reduction in CO, HC and smoke opacity is noticed with simarouba biodiesel fuel while increasing NO<inf>x</inf> compared to diesel. Application of EGR along with biodiesel resulted in simultaneous reduction of nitrogen oxides and smoke without affecting engine performance. It was found from experiment that B20 blend at 15% EGR shown superior performance characteristics compared to other conditions. © Springer India 2017.