Performance, emissions and combustion characteristics of CI engine fuel with watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) methyl esters

ABSTRACT

In this paper, bio-diesel was prepared from watermelon seed oil by using transesterification processes. The performance, emission and combustion characteristics of the various bio-diesel and diesel blends (B20–B80 and B100) are compared with those of the diesel. The experimental result indicates that owing to a lower heating value of bio-diesel, the brake-specific fuel consumption increased and the brake thermal efficiency decreased. However, bio-diesel and its blends reduced carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon, while the oxides of nitrogen and smoke slightly increased. The combustion analysis proved that increasing bio-diesel blend ratio decreases the cylinder pressure and heat release rate when compared with base diesel.

KEYWORDS:

• Watermelon seed oil
• performance
• emission
• combustion
• bio-diesel