ABSTRACT
This paper discusses the effect of Hydnocarpus wightiana methyl ester (HWME) and its blends with diesel and kerosene on performance and combustion characteristics of a single-cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine. The engine tests were conducted with HWME (B100) and its blends with diesel in proportions of 20:80 (B20), 40:60 (B40) and 60:40 (B60), and with blends of HWME, diesel, and kerosene in proportions of 20:75:5 (B20K5), 20:70:10 (B20K10), 20:65:15 (B20K15) and 40:55:5 (B40K5) at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of rated load at constant engine speed (1500 rpm). Blends B20 and B20K5 have lower brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) than other blends but are 5% and 2.9%, respectively, greater than diesel at full load. Blends B20 and B20K5 have higher brake thermal efficiency (BTE) than other blends but are 9.6% and 9%, respectively, lower than diesel at full load. At the rated engine speed of 1500 rpm, there is an increase of 26.81% and 31.15% in peak pressure with the crank angle for the B20 and B20K5 blends, respectively, from zero load to maximum load. The peak pressure values for B20, B40 and B60 were 3.21, 3.38 and 3.59%, respectively, less than diesel at full load.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.