A combined study of filterability and soaking strength of fuel filter and effect of injection timing on CI engine characteristics using Ceiba pentandra biodiesel

Abstract

Biodiesel is currently utilised as an alternative to conventional fuels. However, blends only up to a particular ratio improve the engine performance and fuel filterability. Higher biodiesel concentrations may cause diesel fuel filter clogging. The influence of blends of Ceiba pentandra (kapok) biodiesel (B0–B100 in 20% increments) on fuel filter blocking tendency, pressure drop, and soaking strength was investigated through filter media analysis. Fuel filter performance was similar to diesel up to B20, but higher blends had a detrimental effect. As per the filterability results, B20 was selected for further evaluation. Injection timing (IT) of fuel was the most influential parameter on the performance, combustion, and emission behaviour of diesel engines. This work aims to improve engine performance and emissions by altering IT from 21° before top dead centre (BTDC) to 27° BTDC with Ceiba pentandra biodiesel (B20), and results are compared with diesel at IT of 23° BTDC. Advanced IT (27° BTDC) caused lower brake specific fuel consumption (20%) and higher brake thermal efficiency (13%), and we observed low HC and smoke emissions at all advanced ITs. A reduction by 23.5% and 7.5% in hydrocarbon and smoke, respectively, was seen at 27° BTDC.

Keywords:

• Ceiba pentandra
• kapok
• biodiesel
• injection timing
• filterability

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore for incredible support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.