Selection of Optimum Emulsified Diesel-Biodiesel Blend for C.I. Engine

Abstract

Energy is the most important for everyone on this earth. Most of the energy of the world is obtained mainly from fossil fuels. Nowadays the extraction of fossil fuels is at the pick. These fuels are mainly used in transportation sectors. Due to continuous and irregular extraction of fossil fuels in nearly future the reserves of these are going to be reduced. Petrol and diesel are mostly used in the transportation sector. The consumption of diesel is more than petrol because of the high power output and efficiency of the diesel engine (C.I Engine) compared to a petrol engine (S.I Engine). Diesel engines are used in a variety of applications such as for power generation, in military ships, for agriculture uses and many other. Due to the use of fossil fuel such as diesel and petrol in the transportation sector in I.C. Engine the emissions such as NOx, CO, CO2, SOx, HC and PM are emitted into the atmosphere. This emissions pollute the environment and affect human life. Hence we need to discover an alternative to this fuel in order to reduce the emission without affecting the performance of the engine, also to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. By doing this we can reduce the carbon footprints of the country. The alternative discovered should be such that it can be easily available, efficient and environmentally friendly. Biodiesel can be used as an alternative to diesel in I.C. Engine without affecting the performance and reducing the emission. Among various methods available to reduce emissions and to improve performance and combustion characteristics of the engine, emulsification is one of the best technique. In present work an optimum blend of dual biodiesel along with diesel is adopted directly based upon previous work carried out at Nirma University by using the engine performance, combustion performance and emission performance based on TOPSIS and PROMETHEE multiple criteria decision-making techniques. This optimum blend is used for the emulsification process. In the emulsification process water percentages are varying from 1% to 5% and different emulsified sets of fuel blend are obtained. Experiments were carried out at Nirma University, the engine is operated on this emulsified fuel and based upon the engine performance and emission analysis the best optimum set of emulsified fuel is selected. Kirloskar single cylinder, four stroke, water-cooled diesel engine is operated under varying load condition 0 kg (0%), 3 kg (25%), 6 kg (50%), 9 kg (75%), 12 kg (100%) and with 13.2 kg (110%) at constant operating speed of 1500 rpm with injection time 20° BTDC.