Effect of fuel injection pressure on performance of constant-speed diesel engine fuelled with biofuel mixtures

ABSTRACT

Biodiesel and its additives have become interesting options for fossil fuel-based engines in the view of sustainable energy development. A biodiesel mix was used in this work to show the possibility of utilization of different biofuels. Experimental investigation was carried out on a direct-injection constant-speed (1500 rpm) diesel engine at different injection pressures of 180, 220 and 260 bar with natural aspiration and supercharging modes. The fuels selected are blends of diesel and used cooking oil biodiesel, with a mix of algae biodiesel. The brake specific fuel consumption of the engine was low at lower injection pressures and further lowered with supercharging operation. Brake thermal efficiency values improved with the reduction of injection pressures and the same was observed with supercharging. The NOx emissions increased with the rise in injection pressures due to rise in maximum temperature; unburnt hydrocarbon emissions were slightly increased with the rise in injection pressure. The algae biodiesel was used as an additive to increase the stability of biodiesel; it has been observed that the stability of biodiesel increases with addition of algae biodiesel. The overall observation indicates that a moderate injection pressure of 220 bar is advisable.

KEYWORDS:

• Fuel injection pressure
• biofuels
• used cooking oil biodiesel
• algae for biofuels
• fuel mixtures

Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, India for their support for Biofuel program.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.