Experimental investigation on effects of karanja biodiesel (B100) on performance, combustion, and regulated and GHG emissions characteristics of an automotive diesel engine

ABSTRACT

In the present study, the effects of base diesel and biodiesel (karanja, B100) on combustion, performance and emissions including greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O) of an automotive diesel engine were experimentally investigated. The regulated emissions such CO, hydrocarbon (HC) and smoke decrease with B100; however, NO_x emission increases at all loads. The GHG emissions such as CH₄ and N₂O are less at all loads but CO₂ emission is higher. The in-cylinder temperature is higher with B100. Combustion characteristics indicate the peak heat release rate is lower and combustion duration is higher with B100. An important conclusion that emerged from the study is that the CH₄ and N₂O emissions are inversely proportional to in-cylinder temperature. Although total CO₂-equivalent GHG emission in the engine is moderately higher with B100, some quantity of the gas (with consideration of the uncertainty in the amount of carbon-neutral fuel) in the atmosphere will be recycled by the karanja plants.

KEYWORDS:

• Karanja biodiesel (B100)
• automotive diesel engine
• GHG emissions
• carbon dioxide
• methane
• nitrous oxide
• CO₂ equivalent GHG emission

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.