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ABSTRACT
This paper investigates the effect of turbocharger on the performance and emissions of a four-cylinder engine-fueled petroleum diesel, straight palm kernel oil, and straight coconut oil. The performance was measured in terms of brake power, brake torque, brake-specific fuel consumption, and brake thermal efficiency. A naturally aspirated four-stroke direct injection engine was tested with petroleum diesel, palm kernel oil and coconut oil at engine speeds from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm at intervals of 300. A turbocharger was subsequently installed and tests repeated for all three fuels. While the highest brake power was recorded for diesel fuel under turbocharged conditions, there was generally between 2.9% and 3.5% increase in brake power and torque for all fuels tested. The vegetable oils under turbocharged conditions recorded the highest brake thermal efficiencies. Vegetable oils under turbocharged operation conditions had reduced brake-specific fuel consumption data though still higher than petroleum diesel. Carbon monoxide emissions from the vegetable oils were significantly lower than petroleum diesel. However, NOx emissions of vegetable oils remained higher though less with the incorporation of a turbocharger. This study reveals that the incorporation of a turbocharger significantly increases engine performance and further reduces emissions of a vegetable oil-fueled engine compared with petroleum diesel fuel.
Nomenclature
| BSFC | = | brake-specific fuel consumption |
| CO | = | carbon monoxide |
| CCO | = | crude coconut oil/preheated coconut oil |
| CCO-NA | = | CCO in a naturally aspirated engine |
| CCO-TU | = | CCO in a turbocharged engine |
| DF | = | diesel fuel/petroleum diesel |
| DF-NA | = | DF in a naturally aspirated engine |
| DF-TU | = | DF in a turbocharged engine |
| NOx | = | oxides of nitrogen |
| PKO | = | palm kernel oil/crude palm kernel oil |
| PKO-NA | = | PKO in a naturally aspirated engine |
| PKO-TU | = | PKO in a turbocharged engine |
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Albert K. Sunnu
Albert K. Sunnu is an associate professor at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and head of the mechanical engineering department.
Godwin K. Ayetor
Godwin K. Ayetor holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana and MSc. Automotive Engineering from Kingston University, London. He serves as the Automobile Engineering Lead at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. His research is in the area of alternative fuels and electric vehicles.
James M. Gaye
James M. Gaye until recently was a graduate student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He graduated with MSc in Mechanical Engineering and currently resides in Liberia.