Combustion and performance analysis of direct injection, compression ignition engine fuel with preheated neat cotton seed methyl ester

Abstract

In many countries, methyl esters of vegetable oils are blended with petroleum diesel and used as a partial substituent to petroleum diesel. In our experimentation, neat cotton seed methyl ester (without blending) was implemented as fuel for a direct injection compression ignition engine. Cotton seed methyl ester cetane number and calorific value are close to petroleum diesel. But the flash point, auto-ignition temperature and viscosity are higher than petroleum diesel. If it is preheated, the viscosity will decrease and flow ability in the fuel lines will increase. While injecting, the atomization level of the fuel was also improved by the preheating. But too much heating is not preferable, because it causes formation of vapors in the fuel lines. Preheating of methyl ester to the correct temperature gives better thermal efficiency and lower environmental pollution. Hence in our investigations, cotton seed methyl ester is preheated to different temperatures (27°C, 35°C, 40°C, 45°C, 52°C and 55°C) and implemented as fuel for a direct injection compression ignition engine. At these temperatures, engine performance, fuel combustion and pollutants in the exhaust gas are analyzed. It was found, preheating of cotton seed methyl ester to a temperature between 45°C and 52°C gives lower pollutants and better thermal efficiency.

Keywords:

• cotton seed methyl ester
• CSME
• preheating
• combustion
• net heat release
• performance
• pollutants

Acknowledgements

Authors wish to thank GMR Institute of Technology, Rajam A.P. India, for providing research equipment such as fuel preheating equipment, data acquisition system, testing equipment for smoke and for continued encouragement towards research. The authors also wish to thank wish to thank Gandhi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Gunupur, Orissa, for the research support.

Future scope of the research

In this experiment, heat is supplied by using external heaters, but by designing an exhaust gas based heat exchanger, one can eliminate the external heating.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

V. Joshua Jaya Prasad

Dr. V. Joshua Jaya Prasad, presently working as professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering, Gandhi Institute of Engineering & Technology, Gunupur, Odisha. Obtained his PhD from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. He has 11 years of teaching and four years of Industrial Experiences. He has published 30 technical papers in national and international journals and conferences. He has undergone different “Teaching and Learning” training programs conducted by NITTR (MHRD) and WIPRO mission 10X. He attended as resource person for the surrounding colleges as well as AICTE sponsored workshops.

V. Rambabu

Dr. V. Rambabu, presently working as professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering, GMR Institute of Technology, Rajam, Andhrapradesh. He has 13 years of teaching and two years of Industrial Experience. He has published 20 technical papers in national and international journals and conferences. Obtained his PhD from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam.