Performance evaluation and analysis of underutilized argemone mexicana seed oil biodiesel in single cylinder 4-S diesel engine

Abstract

The aim of current research effort is to evaluate the performance of much less utilized Argemone Mexicana seed oil methyl ester in single cylinder, water-cooled, 4-S diesel engine. The Argemone Mexicana is an agricultural weed, a plant of wasteland; its use led to the resource conservation. The methyl ester or biodiesel obtained by Argemone Mexicana seed oil is produced by the course of transesterification process. This process consists of pretreatment of vegetable oil with acid catalyst due to high FFA content followed by base catalyzed transesterification. The essential properties of transesterified Argemone Mexicana seed oil are tested and compared with natural diesel. The biodiesel blends with diesel in the combination of B10, B20, B30, B40 and B50 are utilized in a compression-ignition engine, its performance parameters are examined and compared with natural diesel. The lower blends of biodiesel exhibits similar characteristics to diesel without any modification in the design of engine. This experimental work testified that the blending of diesel with biodiesel obtained from Argemone Mexicana oil in diesel engine is a feasible alternative for depletion of petroleum diesel.