Honge oil methyl ester and producer gas-fuelled dual-fuel engine operated with varying compression ratios

Figures & data

Table 1 Properties of the fuels tested.

Sl no.	Properties	Diesel	HOME	Babul wood	Composition
1	Viscosity at 40°C (cst)	4.59 (low)	5.6	Moisture content (%, w/w)	11.9
2	Flash point (°C)	56	163	Ash content (%, w/w)	0.79
3	Calorific value (kJ/kg)	45,000	36,010	Volatile matter (%, w/w)	85.8
4	Specific gravity	0.830	0.870	Fixed carbon (%, w/w)	13.4
5	Density (kg/m^3)	830	890	Sulphur (%, w/w)	0.05
6	Type of oil	–	Non-edible	Nitrogen, as N (%, w/w)	0.25
7	Cetane number	42	54	Gross calorific value (cal/g)	4171
8	–	–	–	Density (kg/m^3)	288

Table 2 Composition of the producer gas.

	Constituents (%)
Type of wood	CO2	H2	CH4	H/C	N2	Water vapour
Babul wood	18–22%	15–19%	1–5%	0.2–0.4%	4.5–5.5%	4%

Figure 1 Experimental set-up.

Figure 2 Views of the pressure sensor fitted to the engine cylinder.

Figure 3 Parallel flow gas entry carburettor for producer gas induction fitted to the engine.

Table 3 Specifications of the engine.

Sl no.	Parameters	Specification
1	Type of engine	Kirloskar make, single-cylinder, four-stroke, DI diesel engine
2	Nozzle opening pressure	200–205 bar
3	Rated power	5.2 kW (7 HP) at 1500 rpm
4	Cylinder diameter (bore)	87.5 mm
5	Stroke length	110 mm
6	CR	17.5:1

Table 4 Specifications of the downdraft gasifier.

Type	Downdraft gasifier
Supplier	Ankur Scientific Energy Technologies Pvt Ltd, Baroda
Rated capacity	62,735 kJ/h
Rated gas flow	15 N m^3/h
Average gas calorific value	5–5.6 MJ/m^3
Rated woody biomass consumption	5–6 kg/h
Hopper storage capacity	40 kg
Typical conversion efficiency	70–75%

Table 5 Specifications of the piezoelectric transducer.

Make	PCB Piezotronics
Model	HSM111A22, piezoelectric
Measurement range	0–344 bar
Sensitivity	0.145 mV/kPa
Resolution	0.69 kPa
Non-linearity	≤ 2.0% FS
Temperature range	–73 to +135°C

Figure 4 Variations in BTE with brake power.

Figure 5 Variations in EGT with brake power.

Figure 6 Variations in volumetric efficiency with brake power.

Figure 7 Variations in smoke opacity with brake power.

Figure 8 Variations in hydrocarbon emissions with brake power.

Figure 9 Variations in carbon monoxide with brake power.

Figure 10 Variations in nitric oxide with brake power.

Figure 11 Variations in fuel substitution with brake power.

Figure 12 Variations in peak pressure with brake power.

Figure 13 Variations in ignition delay with brake power.

Figure 14 Variations in combustion duration with brake power.

Figure 15 In-cylinder pressure versus crank angle at varying CRs for the HOME–producer gas combinations at the 80% load.

Figure 16 Rate of heat release versus crank angle at varying CRs for the HOME–producer gas combinations at the 80% load.