Combustion characteristics of a four-stroke CI engine operated on Honge and Jatropha oil methyl ester–ethanol blends when directly injected and dual fuelled with CNG induction

Abstract

The demand for petroleum products in India has been increasing at a rate higher than the increase of domestic availability. At the same time, there is continuous pressure on emission control through periodically tightened regulations particularly in metropolitan cities. In the wake of this situation, there is an urgent need to promote the use of alternative fuels as substitutes for high-speed diesel. Dual-fuel mode of operation employing compressed natural gas (CNG) and plant oils such as Honge and Jatropha oils and their esters is an attractive option as our country has a large agriculture base that can be a feedstock to this fuel technology which can ease the burden on the economy by curtailing fuel imports. This paper presents the results of investigations carried out in studying the behaviour of Honge and Jatropha oil methyl esters and their blends with 15% ethanol and subsequent testing of these oils in a four-stroke, single-cylinder, water-cooled, direct-injection compression ignition engine in dual-fuel mode with CNG induction.

Keywords:

• Honge oil
• Jatropha oil
• methyl esters
• CNG
• injection timing
• injection pressure