Experimental investigations on extending knock limiting combustion of a dual fuel engine when using hydrogen and lpg as primary fuels

Abstract

In the current work, renewable citronella biofuel has been chosen as an alternative fuel for diesel engine. The Citronella biofuel is a grass based fuel vastly available in all over India, Srilanka and its neighboring countries. To start with, Fourier Transform Infra Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatogram Mass Spectroscopy analysis were carried out on Citronella biofuel and further their physico-chemical properties were determined and compared with standard diesel fuel. The lower viscosity, better calorific value and cetane number were taken as benefits and it was found to be a capable alternative fuel for diesel engine. newlineThe Citronella biofuel was blended with standard diesel in different proportions such as 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%, and100% and its properties were identified and compared with diesel. Initially, the base level experimental investigation was carried out in CI engine fuelled with diesel, Citronella biofuel and its blends. The effect of the biofuel on various parameters like performance, combustion and emission was studied. The BTE of citronella biofuel was close to that of the diesel fuel and there was a compelling reduction in HC and CO emission which was revealed in the first part of the research work. But as a penalty, the NOx emission was higher than for diesel. Based on the results, B20 blend was chosen as optimum blend. newline