Performance studies of compression ignition engine by using jatropha methyl ester (Biodiesel) from non-edible and waste vegetable oil

Abstract

The results of the performance of a compression ignition engine (direct injected, 4-stroke 2-cylinder engine) by using jatropha methyl ester from non-edible vegetable oil (Jatropha Curcas) and its blends with diesel fuel have been presented in this paper. Jatropha fruits are available plentily in the state of Odisha, but these are wasted here and there as these are non-edible and are not used for any useful purpose till now. Short-term engine (3.73 kW, water cooled) performance tests were conducted using six different blends of jatropha methyl ester oil with diesel fuel from 10% to 100% by volume [Jatropha methyl ester-diesel (10:90), jatropha methyl ester-diesel (20:80) jatropha methyl ester-diesel (30:70), jatropha methyl ester-diesel (40:60), jatropha methyl ester-diesel (50:50), jatropha methyl ester-diesel (100:0)] The engine performance parameters studied were power output, fuel consumption, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and brake thermal efficiency (BThE) by using the above mentioned blend fuels. Brake power measured by use of Jatropha methyl ester was found to be slightly lower than diesel. Fuel consumption measured by use of Jatropha methyl ester was found to be higher than the diesel. Therefore, jatropha methyl ester can be used as a diesel fuel replacement with little sacrifice in brake thermal efficiency.