Experimental Investigations on Performance of Mixture of Jatropha and Castor Biodiesels as Alternative Fuel for Diesel Engines

Abstract

Decline in fossil fuel resources along with high crude oil prices generated attention towards the development of fuel from alternate sources. Such fuel should be economically attractive and performance component in order to replace the fossil fuel. Biodiesel offer a very promising alternative to diesel oil since they are renewable and have similar properties. In the previous studies there are several works on the consumption of biodiesel and its blends in diesel engines have been performed and it is evident that single biodiesel offer acceptable engine performance and emissions for diesel engine operation. But, very few works have been conducted with the combination of diesel and two different biodiesel as an alternative fuel. In this context, this study have been investigated the performance of the mixture of Jatropha and Castor biodiesels with the conventional diesel in diesel engine. The four cylinder, four strokes cycle, water cooled, direct injection engine of rear wheel derived vehicle was used for the experiments. The chassis dynamometer was used to read the wheel power and wheel force of the vehicle. The blend were prepared as B0 (petro diesel), B20 JB (Jatropha biodiesel blend), B20 CB (Castor biodiesel blend), and B20 JCB (Jatropha and Castor biodiesel blend) for the comparison. The result investigated that mixing of biodiesel from Jatropha and Castor oil were used to improve the high viscosity and density of castor biodiesel, and to provide better cold weather operation of Jatropha biodiesel. From the performance test results the mixture of Jatropha and Castor biodiesel blend (B20 JCB) shows 3.06% and 3.37% reduction of brake power and brake torque compared to pure diesel (B0), respectively. The average brake specific fuel consumption of B20 JCB was increased by 4.89% compared to the diesel. Generally, it may be concluded from the experimental investigations that the mixture of Jatropha and Castor biodiesel blend can become an alternative source of fuel in the future.

Decline In Fossil Fuel Resources Along With High Crude Oil Prices Generated Attention Towards The Development Of Fuel From Alternate Sources. Such Fuel Should Be Economically Attractive And Performance Component In Order To Replace The Fossil Fuel. Biodiesel Offer A Very Promising Alternative To Diesel Oil Since They Are Renewable And Have Similar Properties. In The Previous Studies There Are Several Works On The Consumption Of Biodiesel And Its Blends In Diesel Engines Have Been Performed And It Is Evident That Single Biodiesel Offer Acceptable Engine Performance And Emissions For Diesel Engine Operation. But, Very Few Works Have Been Conducted With The Combination Of Diesel And Two Different Biodiesel As An Alternative Fuel. In This Context, This Study Have Been Investigated The Performance Of The Mixture Of Jatropha And Castor Biodiesels With The Conventional Diesel In Diesel Engine. The Four Cylinder, Four Strokes Cycle, Water Cooled, Direct Injection Engine Of Rear Wheel Derived Vehicle Was Used For The Experiments. The Chassis Dynamometer Was Used To Read The Wheel Power And Wheel Force Of The Vehicle. The Blend Were Prepared As B0 (Petro Diesel), B20 Jb (Jatropha Biodiesel Blend), B20 Cb (Castor Biodiesel Blend), And B20 Jcb (Jatropha And Castor Biodiesel Blend) For The Comparison. The Result Investigated That Mixing Of Biodiesel From Jatropha And Castor Oil Were Used To Improve The High Viscosity And Density Of Castor Biodiesel, And To Provide Better Cold Weather Operation Of Jatropha Biodiesel. From The Performance Test Results The Mixture Of Jatropha And Castor Biodiesel Blend(B20 Jcb) Shows 3.06% And 3.37% Reduction Of Brake Power And Brake Torque Compared To Pure Diesel (B0), Respectively. The Average Brake Specific Fuel Consumption Of B20 Jcb Was Increased By 4.89% Compared To The Diesel. Generally, It May Be Concluded From The Experimental Investigations That The Mixture Of Jatropha And Castor Biodiesel Blend Can Become An Alternative Source Of Fuel In The Future.