Augmented Turbulence for Progressive and Efficient Combustion in Biodiesel–Diesel Engine

The looming threat of fossil fuel depletion coupled with its disastrous environmental effects has compelled researchers to look into alternative sources of energy that can provide two-way solution such as sustainability and environment protection. Biodiesel which is renewable in nature has emerged as a potential alternate to diesel that can be used in unmodified or little modified diesel engine. Biodiesel is commonly prepared by two-step esterification–transesterification chemical reactions. Biodiesel-fuelled engines are not as efficient as diesel-fuelled engines. Therefore, diesel engine systems must be modified suitably to get the desired power, efficiency with reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emissions to meet the customers’ requirements and strict emissions norms set by the legislations. To cater the above said demands, current research is an effort to make an efficient biodiesel engine with lower emissions by suitably modifying the piston that augments turbulence. The induced turbulence produced by modified piston makes a better quality of air–fuel mixture which in turn improved thermal efficiency and BSFC by 1.46% and 5%, respectively. The HC emissions were reduced by 6.7%, while CO reduced slightly. Expectedly, the formation of NOx was found to be increased from 5 to 7.4%.