Experimental investigation on variable compression ratio engine using rubber seed oil biodiesel

Abstract

Depletion of petroleum reserves and price rise of fossil fuel motivate the researchers to find alternative resources in place of conventional fuels. The use of conventional fuel in diesel engine increases the pollution in the earth atmosphere necessitates in imposing more stringent norms on emission control policies. The biodiesel obtained from various resources can strengthen the rural economy of agricultural sectors in India. Most of the studies reported that the use of biodiesel reduced exhaust emission in diesel engines due to the presence of higher oxygen molecules in it. The production and use of biodiesel in diesel engine reduces one-half of CO2 emission in diesel engines. The reduction of CO2 emission reduces the green gas emissions which cause the global warming in earth surfaces considerably. The combustion of biodiesel entirely removes the sulfate and sulfur oxide emissions which cause acid rain. In this work, non- edible rubber seed oil methyl ester is considered as substitute to diesel fuel. Rubber trees are planted for its latex and its seed is not used for edible purpose. The unused rubber seed oil is considered in this work for biodiesel production. This work aims to compare the different operating parameters of biodiesel blends with that diesel to improve its performance in variable compression ratio engine in agricultural sectors and in remote area power production. The variable compression ratio is a technique in which the compression ratio is varied to raise the fuel economy and thermal efficiency of the engine. There is a reduction in fuel consumption and increase in thermal efficiency with reduction in pumping and friction losses obtained with variable compression ratio technology. The improved efficiency reduces CO2 and other emission losses considerably. It satisfies the increasing power demand and dynamic responses in industrial and rural applications. The biodiesel obtained from rubber seed oil is produced by using a two-step transesterification processes. In this research work, the expe