Performance, emission and combustion characteristics of multi-cylinder CRDI engine fueled with argemone biodiesel/diesel blends

Present work dealt with the performance, emission and combustion characteristics of a 4-cylinder turbocharged, intercooled, common rail direct injection engine using argemone biodiesel-diesel blends. The physicochemical properties of biodiesel-diesel blends; AB10, AB20, AB30, AB50 and pure biodiesel were determined and compared with ASTM D6751. These blends were used for experimentation on 1.9L common rail direct injection (CRDI) engine at low load, part load and high load condition at a fixed rotational speed of 2000 rpm. It was observed that biodiesel blends perform better at part load and high load in comparison of low load condition. Maximum improvement of 5.58% in brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and 7.88% in brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) were observed for AB20 at high load condition. Significant reduction in exhaust emissions (excluding NOx) were observed at part load and high load up to 30% blending of argemone biodiesel in diesel. At low load, less NOx emissions, higher HC and CO emissions were observed for all biodiesel-diesel blends. Also, no change in ignition delay was observed up to 20% blending of argemone biodiesel in diesel. AB30 and AB50 blends show a longer ignition delay in comparison of other tested blends. Higher in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate was found at all the test conditions except low load for AB20 blend. The 20% blending of argemone biodiesel can be used in engine to attain higher thermal efficiency with a penalty of higher NOx emissions. However, 30% blending of argemone biodiesel can be used to achieve almost similar brake thermal efficiency as that of petroleum diesel with less penalty of NOx emissions as imposed by AB20.