Experimental evaluation of a diesel engine fueled with Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del biodiesel blends

ABSTRACT

This study was initiated to investigate the performance, combustion parameters and emissions of a single-cylinder variable compression ratio diesel engine operated on Balanites aegyptiaca biodiesel blends. The physical properties of the blends were calculated and compared with ASTM standards. The experimental characteristics were analyzed while operating on Balanites aegyptiaca biodiesel blends and diesel fuel. The blend ratios of 0%, 10% and 20% on volume basis of Balanites aegyptiaca biodiesel with diesel fuel were tested. The influence of these blends on performance, combustion and emission parameters were investigated under various measured load conditions. The results indicate that blends exhibited a parallel performance to that of diesel fuel though, it's advance ignition behavior. The results obtained using biodiesel blends resulted in enhanced performance parameters at higher load conditions. The results show that the value of the cylinder peak pressure depends mainly on the engine load and the blending ratio. It was observed that blends shortened the ignition delay period thus reducing the cylinder pressure. Whereas in emissions, blends performed significant reduction in CO, HC and NO_x rates at measured load conditions. Based on this study, Balanites aegyptiaca biodiesel blended with diesel fuel can be used as an alternate for diesel in a diesel engine.

KEYWORDS:

• Performance
• combustion
• emissions
• Balanites aegyptiaca biodiesel
• blends

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.