Experimental cyclic variations of diesel engine burning pyrolysis castor oil blends

Abstract

Pyrolysis of castor oil with anhydrous sodium hydroxide as a catalyst was performed to produce Catalytic Castor pyrolytic oil (CCPO). The physical and chemical properties of the pyrolytic and gas oils were recorded according to ASTM standards. Gas oil was blended with castor pyrolytic oil at different volumetric ratios of 0%, 25%, 75%, and 100% as CCPO00, CCPO25, CCPO75, and CCPO100, respectively. Coefficient of variation (COV) of combustion parameters proved to be a profound method of assessing combustion characteristics and engine performance. COV of combustion parameters (IMEP, Pmax, and dP/dΘmax) for gas oil blends with pyrolysis oil were measured. Recorded pressure crank angle traces of 150 consecutive cycles were used for COV’s determination. A single cylinder diesel engine equipped with calibrated measuring techniques was used at different engine loads. Higher volumetric blending ratios of pyrolytic oil with diesel oil increased the COV’s within an acceptable range of engine operating conditions. Minor modifications might be valuable for engines fueled by pyrolysis oil blends to obtain smoother, lower noise operation, and combustion stability.