Investigations on effect of split and retarded injection on the performance characteristics of engines with cashew nut shell biodiesel blends

Efforts to improve air quality have led to use of alternate fuels and design modification that includes optimisation of fuel injection parameters. The effects of Injection Timings (IT) and split injection on performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine with cashew nut shell biodiesel blends are experimentally investigated. The various blends, retarded timings and split injections used are vis-a-vis: B5 and B10, 2 degrees crank angle (CA) and 4 degrees CA from existing timing and 5%, 10%, and 15% of mass of main injection at 2200 rpm. NOx reduced by 17.8%,11.8%, 27.5% for diesel, B5, B10 respectively at 4 degrees retarded CA with 10% split compared to base IT with single injection. Smoke reduced by 19.5%, 73.8% for diesel and B5 respectively at 4 degrees retarded CA and 15% split. It is found that lower emissions are attained without affecting the performance for all fuel blends with retarded injection timing and split injections.