Experimental investigation on performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a low heat rejection engine using rapeseed methyl ester and Diethyl ether

Abstract

Background/objectives: Today, as a result of limited fuel resources and stringent emission standards, the methyl ester fuel has been focused on alternative fuels for I.C engine. Methyl ester fuels can be effectively used in low heat rejection engines (LHR), in which the surface temperature of the combustion temperature is increased by providing a thermal barrier coating. The main objective of our work is to reduce the engine exhaust emissions like HC and CO using diethyl ether in low heat rejection engine. Methods/Statistical Analysis: In this work, engine components like piston crown, cylinder head, and liner, inlet and exhaust valves of a diesel engine were coated with the ceramic material lanthanum zirconate by plasma spray technique. The effects of rapeseed methyl ester (biodiesel) produced by transesterification method and its blends with Diethyl ether (10% and 20% by volume) were studied in the low heat rejection engine. Findings: The thermal efficiency is found to be higher for diesel and biodiesel in the LHR engine. The results indicate that, B10 (10% Diethyl ether & 90% Biodiesel) and B20 (20% Diethyl ether & 80% Biodiesel) shows lower thermal efficiency compared with that straight biodiesel in low heat rejection engine. Applications/Improvements: Significant improvements were observed in engine exhaust emissions like CO and HC (except NOx) for all the diethyl ether blended biodiesel fuel in LHR engine. The higher oxygen content in the blended fuel reduces CO and HC emissions by 10% and 18% respectively compared to biodiesel in LHR engine.