Combustion And Emission Characteristics Of A Compression-Ignition Engine Fuelled With Transesterified-Jatropha Biodiesel-Diesel Blends

Abstract

Jatropha-curcas biodiesel has recently been identified as a potential renewable energy source on the Asian continent. Jatropha-curcas biodiesel has similar properties to diesel oil. It can be produced from non-edible Jatropha-curcas to oil through the transesterification process. The paper experimentally investigates the combustion, performance, and exhaust emissions characteristics of a direct-injected compression-ignition engine fuelled with 25% (BD25), 50% (BD50), and 100% (BD100) volume basis Jatropha-curcas biodiesel with diesel. The experimental results showed that the Ignition Delay and Heat Release Rate during combustion were lower for Jatropha-curcas biodiesel and their blends than for diesel. Jatrophacurcas biodiesel and its blends also exhibited lower Brake Thermal Efficiency and Exhaust Emissions than diesel, except for Nitrogen-Oxides and Brake Specific Fuel Consumption. It was observed that the blend containing 25% Jatropha-curcas biodiesel (BD25) was the best alternative for diesel, based on the overall performance in terms of engine emissions and performance. Therefore, BD25 could be considered as a potential alternative fuel for compression-ignition engines.