Performance Emission and Combustion Characteristics of CRDI Engine Operating on Jatropha Curcas Blend With EGR

The present experimental study uses dual cylinder common rail direct injection (CRDI) engine fuelled by Jatropha curcas biodiesel blends produced through Transesterification process along with application of water cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates. Performance, emissions and combustion properties of an engine at constant speed were measured and analysed. The improvement in brake thermal efficiency (BTE) along with reduction in carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (UBHC) and smoke opacity were observed for the B20 biodiesel blend with a marginal increase in oxides of nitrogen (NOx). EGR application has reduced the NOx emissions and peak pressure inside the combustion chamber due to lower flame temperature. Combining B20 blend ratio with 15% EGR rate has the potential to achieve ultra-low NOx without affecting other type of diesel engine exhaust emissions by maintaining same efficiency level. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.