612Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research J SCI IND RES VOL 71 SEPTEMBER 2012 Vol. 71, September 2012, pp. 612-615

Experimental study of using hybrid blends in diesel engine

S Prabhakar1*, K Annamalai2 and Isaac JoshuaRamesh Lalvani3 Department of Automobile Engineering, MIT Campus, Anna University, Chennai

Received 11 October 2011; revised 02 August 2012; accepted 03 August 2012

This study presents utilizing hybrid vegetable oil from Pongamia pinnata and Madhuca indica as an alternative diesel fuel. Raw pongamia oil and mahua oil were mixed (50:50) for preparing hybrid vegetable oil (HVO). A 20% blend of methyl of pongamia oil (MEOP), 20% blend of methyl ester of mahua oil (MEOM) and 20% blend of methyl ester of hybrid vegetable oil (MEHVO) with 80% of neat diesel were used as a fuel in diesel engine. A 20% blend of MEHVO with 80% of diesel gave

competitive performance nearing diesel. In MEHVO blend, HC, CO is reduced, however CO2 and NOx emission is slightly increased when compared to pure diesel.

Keywords: Esterification, Hybrid vegetable oil, Madhuca indica, Pongamia pinnata, Transesterification

Introduction Pongamia pinnata (L) Pierre, commonly known as Rudolf Diesel1 tested peanut oil as fuel for engine Karanja in Assam. Commercial productions of seeds start for the first time in August 10, 1893. is from 10 years onwards of plantation and a full-grown renewable, biodegradable, non toxic and has very close tree may yield up to100 kg or even more fresh seeds per property to that of diesel fuel2-6. It is an oxygenated fuel annum up to 60-70 years20. Various possibilities of using made from various feedstock by conversion of pongamia oil as a fuel have been investigated21-23. fats to methyl, ethyl, butyl and propyl Transterfication of vegetable oil gives better fuel via transesterification7,8. India is rich in forest resources properties24. Biodiesel from mahua oil shows no corrosion having a wide range of trees, which yield a significant on piston metal and piston liner whereas biodiesel from quantity of oil yielding seeds9. Different types of edible has slight corrosive effect on piston vegetable oils and as substitutes for diesel fuels liner25. Although heat of combustion of methyl esters is are considered in different countries depending on slightly lower than that of petro-diesel, there is no engine climate and soil conditions10. Production of non-edible adjustment and no loss in efficiency26. Methyl esters are oils in India is as follows: mahua, 180; sal, 100; karanja, clean burning fuel with no sulfur emission, non-corrosive 55; kusum, 25; and ratanjyot, 15 kt/y. Mahua (Madhuca and produced at low pressure and low temperature indica) oil is a nonedible oil available in plenty in India. conditions27. M. latifolia is a medium sized to large deciduous tree, This study presents preparation of methyl esters of distributed in South India, and evergreen forests. It is pongamia oil (MEPO), mahua oil (MEMO) and hybrid propagating either by itself or its own seeds11,12. Oils vegetable oil (MEHVO) using esterification followed by and fats can be converted into biodiesel by transesterification, and evaluated fuel quality as well as transesterification, blending, micro-emulsions and engine operation using MEPO, MEMO, MEHVO. pyrolysis; transesterification being the most commonly used method13,14. Some studies are available on biodiesel Experimental Section from some of the non-edible oils15-18. Mahua kernels are Transesterification Process 70% of seed by weight. Poorly stored mahua kernels To crude vegetable oil (1 l), a known amount of yield oils with only up to 30% free (FFA)19. catalyst [NAOH 8-10 g (1 wt%)], dissolved in required Pongamia oil is a non edible oil extracted from seeds of amount of methanol, was added. During experiments, temperature (45 or 60°C as desired) was maintained, *Author for correspondence and pressure and impeller speed were kept constant. E-mail:[email protected] Samples were taken into reactor flask and allowed PRABHAKAR et al: STUDY OF HYBRID VEGETABLE OIL BLENDS IN DIESEL ENGINE 613

a) BTE, %

BP, kW b) SFC, kg/Kw-h

BP, kW

c)

Fig. 1—Experimental setup glycerin to settle down at the bottom. After removal of TFC, kg/h glycerine, oil (700-950 ml) from reactor was collected and washed with water (500-2000 ml) to remove unreactive base, glycerin, and trace amount of . BP, kW Sample is collected into a glass cup, wherein 500 ml of Fig. 2—For methyl esters of mahua (MEOM), pongamia (MEOP) water was added. An ortho-phosphoric acid (5-10 drops) and hybrid vegetable oil (MEHVO), variation of brake power was added into it to avoid soap formation. Using air (BP) with respect to: a) brake thermal efficiency (BTE); b) special bubbles, above mixture was washed. This process was fuel consumption (SFC); and c) total fuel consumption (TFC) repeated till clear water is seen in the mixture. amount 27º by spill (btdc); clearance vol, 37.8 cc; and rated of glycerin collected (200-350 ml) is based on methanol power, 8 hp. ratio with respect to oil. In present study, 20% of MEPO, 20% of MEMO, and 20% of MEHVO with 80% of neat Testing Procedure diesel blends were used. Engine performance and emission characteristics were taken with neat diesel and used as base reading. Experimental Setup Then engine performance and emission characteristics Engine used was kirloskar SV1, single cylinder, four were taken for 20% blend of MEOP, 20% blend of stroke, constant speed, vertical, water cooled, high speed MEMO and 20% blend of MEHVO with 80% of diesel compression ignition diesel engine (Fig. 1). Kirloskar is used as a fuel. Experiments were conducted for all engine was mounted on the ground. Test engine was above methyl esters of biodiesel with diesel. directly coupled to an eddy current dynamometer with suitable switching and control facility. Liquid fuel flow Results and Discussion rate was measured on volumetric basis using a burette Engine Performance: Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE), Specific and a stopwatch. Engine specifications were as follows: Fuel Consumption (SFC) and Total Fuel Consumption (TFC) bore & stroke, 87.5 x 110 mm; compression ratio, Thermal efficiency of methyl esters is found lesser 17.5: 1; speed, 1800 rpm; capacity, 0.661 l; fuel timing, than diesel (Fig. 2a), due to lower heating value and higher 614 J SCI IND RES VOL 71 SEPTEMBER 2012 CO, % HC, ppm

BP, kW BP, kW a) b) , % 2 , ppm x CO NO

BP, kW BP, kW c) d) Fig. 3—For methyl esters of mahua (MEOM), pongamia (MEOP) and hybrid vegetable oil (MEHVO), variation of brake power (BP)

with respect to: a) unburnt hydrocarbons (UBHC); b) carbon mono oxide (CO); c) nitrogen oxides (NOx); and d) carbon di oxide (CO2)

oxygen content of vegetable oil. However, BTE of Conclusions MEHVO is closer to diesel, due to lowered . As After transesterification of hybrid vegetable oil, SFC was calculated on weight basis, higher densities kinematic viscosity and specific gravity is reduced while resulted in higher values for BSFC. As density of calorific value is increased. For all methyl esters of

MEHVO is lower than other esters and close to diesel, vegetable oils, CO2 and NOx emission were increased trend is very close to diesel (Fig. 2b). TFC of MEPO, with slight power loss and emissions of HC and CO MEMO and MEHVO are higher than diesel due to higher reduced. Thus 20% MEHVO with 80% diesel blend can specific gravity (Fig. 2c). As specific gravity of MEHVO be used in existing diesel engines without engine is lesser than other methyl esters, TFC is less and close modification. to diesel. Acknowledgement Emissions of Unburnt Hydrocarbon (UBHC), Carbon Monoxide Authors thank DST, Govt of India, New Delhi for (CO), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Carbon di-Oxide (CO ) 2 financial support for this research work. A reduction of 31% in HC emission was observed in methyl esters due to presence of oxygen compared to References diesel (Fig. 3a). Oxygen promotes combustion processes, in turn reduces UBHC emissions compared to diesel. 1 Shay E G, Diesel fuel from vegetable oils: status and opportuni- ties, Biomass , 4 (1993) 227-242. Also, reduction of CO emission was observed in case of 2 Janaun J & Ellis N, Perspectives on biodiesel as a sustainable methyl esters compared to diesel (Fig. 3b). However, fuel. Renewab Sustain Energy Rev, 14 (2010) 1312-1320.

NOx and CO2 emission were higher in case of methyl 3 Karonis D, Anastopoulos G, Zannikos F, Stournas S & Lois E, esters than diesel. Improved combustion leads to Determination of physiochemical properties of fatty acid increased peak cycle temperature, which in turn ethyl esters (AAEE) – diesel fuel blends, SAE Tech Pap, increases NOx. Presence of oxygen in molecular chain 1 (2009) 1788. 4 Barnwal B K & Sharma M P, Prospects of biodiesel production of esters may also be the reason for increase in NOx from vegetable oils in India, Renewab Sustain Energy Rev, 9 and CO2. (2005) 363-378. PRABHAKAR et al: STUDY OF HYBRID VEGETABLE OIL BLENDS IN DIESEL ENGINE 615

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