An analysis of rice-bran oil as a biofuel for the four-stroke, twin-cylinder CI engine

ABSTRACT

Petroleum product has seen a drastic demand in the recent past. In this scenario it is important to come up with alternate fuels with better efficiency. This experimental study was undertaken to investigate the use of a blend of rice bran oil and ethanol with various propositions as a substitute to diesel fuel. Its performance charactertics are analysed in a diesel engine and are reported. We are also dealing with a solution to avoid gel formation in cold condition. Emission of CO and NOx is prevented by a three-way catalytic converter. Experimental investigations were carried out on a four-stroke, twin-cylinder CI diesel engine. Various blends of biodiesel (rice bran ethyl ester) and ethanol ranging from 5% to 15% in the blend were used.

KEYWORDS:

• Biofuel
• rice bran oil
• ethanol
• gel forming
• catalytic convertor

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

I. Vinoth Kanna http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8194-8781