Comparison of Combustion Characteristics of Crude Rice Bran Oil Methyl Ester with Diesel as a CI Engine Fuel

Crude rice bran oil methyl ester (CRBME) was chosen for this investigation to analyze its combustibility by admitting it into a combustion chamber of a direct injection (DI) compression ignition (CI) engine. Tests were conducted in a 4.4 kW air-cooled naturally aspirated stationary diesel engine fuelled with CRBME and the results were compared with that of diesel. It was observed that the delay period, cylinder peak pressure and the maximum rate of pressure rise for CRBME is lower than diesel. Maximum heat release rate for CRBME is lower and occur earlier than that of diesel. CRBME require a higher duration to release 50% and 90% of heat than diesel. This investigation shows that CRBME has similar combustion characteristics as that of diesel and it can be utilized as a fuel in CI engines.