Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Performance parameters and exhaust emissions of a diesel engine powered by diesel fuel and a biodiesels, namely jatropha oil methylester (JME), Cottonseed oil methylester (COME), Rapeseed oil methylester (RME), Soybean oil methylester (SME) and Castor oil methylester (CAME) at full load have been investigated using Diesel-RK engine simulation software. The performance of an engine whose basic design parameters are known can be predicted with the assistance of simulation programs into the less time, cost and near value of actual. However, inadequate areas of the current model can guide future research because the effects of design variables on engine performance can be determined before. In this study, thermodynamic cycle and performance analyses were simulated for various engine speeds ranging from 1000 rpm to 3000 rpm with an increment of 100 rpm at full load, 17.5:1 constant compression ratio (CR) of a CI engine with four stroke, single cylinder and natural aspirated. Several parameters and emission were calculated namely; engine torque, brake mean effective pressure, brake power, specific fuel consumption, thermal efficiency, NOx, and CO2, this was carried out using DIESEL-RK Software.It was found that the engine offer lower thermal efficiency when it is powered by neat biodiesel compared to diesel, while it offer higher for JME and minimum for SME among biodiesels. Further, it was found that both the thermal efficiency of the engine and the specific fuel consumption increases with the increase in speed of engine. The NOx emission was found higher for all fuels compared with diesel fuel, whereas it was seen that CO2 emissions were higher for SME, RME, and COME and lower for JME and CAME.
Keywords: Compression Ignition (CI) engine, Diesel-RK Simulation, Biodiesel, Exhaust emission.