INVESTIGATION OF THE PERFORMANCE AND EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS OF CEIBA PENTANDRA BIODIESEL BLENDS IN A VARIABLE COMPRESSION RATIO ENGINE

Abstract

In the current scenario, the production of biodiesel from non-edible oil is a promising way to overcome the problems associated with the energy crisis and environmental issues. In this research, non-edible biodiesel blends of BIO, B20, B30, B40, and B100 methyl esters of Ceiba pentandra oil with standard diesel fuel are used to investigate the performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a variable compression ratio engine at different load conditions compared to diesel. The compressionratios 16.5:1, 17.5:1, 18.5:1 are employed in a 1500 rpm constant speed, single-cylinder with a variable compression ratio, direct injection, four-stroke diesel engine for experimental investigation. Performance and combustion characteristics such as brake specific energy consumption, brake thermal efficiency, net heat release rate and emission characteristics such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen are investigated. The biodiesel blendB10 and B20 showed optimal performance with fewer emissions.