Experimental research on waste and inedible feedstock as a partial alternate fuel: environmental protection and energy-saving initiative

The chief motive of this work is to examine Sterculia foetida biodiesel as blended fuel and compare it with diesel concerning engine performance and emissions. The fuel blends are modified by varying Sterculia foetida biodiesel (10, 20, and 30% by volume) with diesel by changing its content and under various engine loads (0-100% in 25%). Conventional transesterification processes were followed to reduce the FFA of raw Sterculia foetida. The physicochemical properties of Sterculia foetida biodiesel (Methyl ester, SFME) are computed by standard procedure and fall under the ASTM D6751 standards. Experiments were performed by employing modified blends of in direct injection, four-stroke, constant speed, and single-cylinder compression ignition engines. Performance patterns (brake thermal efficiency and specific fuel consumption) and emissions (smoke opacity, NOx, HC, and CO) were computed to examine the engine's behavior. Generally, the performance patterns of Sterculia foetida biodiesel and its blends demonstrate similar trends with diesel. But, the higher blends with 20% and 30% Sterculia foetida biodiesel lowered the efficiency and enhanced the consumption at all loads. Sterculia foetida biodiesel blend lowered the HC, CO, and NOx emissions at all loads than diesel. Hence, the outcome of this work suggests that the fuel derived from Sterculia foetida seeds shall be declared a suitable alternate to diesel fuel.