Experimental Investigation Using Microalgae Methyl Ester Fuels on Performance Combustion and Emission Characteristics of a DI Diesel Engine

Abstract

The alarming rate of exhaustion of conventional fossil reserves and environmental degradation due to the combustion of large quantities of petroleum products especially diesel fuel has been a perennial problem for the entire globe. Haulage vehicles are the major contributors to the degradation in the quality of the environment through harmful emissions. Significant destruction in the environment is being identified across the universe over the decades. Hence, internationally the scientists and researchers are carrying out their research to fix these global crises through a suitable green energy substitute to the mineral diesel. Biodiesel is the most promising and sustainable substitute for mineral diesel. It can be produced from various sources like plant species, vegetable seeds, fats of animal, fish, and chicken, waste cooking oils, and microorganisms includes macro, and microalgae. Of all the feedstocks for biodiesel production vegetable seeds and microorganisms are the vital resources for the bulk production of biodiesel. An extensive research work had been carried out to observe the behavior of diesel engines in terms of performance and tailpipe emissions of unmodified and modified diesel engines powered with several biodiesels. The present work focused on identifying the most suitable substitute for fossil diesel out of available feedstocks. The present work had been systematically carried out in four stages. For performing experimentation, a small capacity of 5.2 kW single-cylinder, direct injection diesel engine was chosen, as it is extensively used in the sectors of agriculture, small and medium scale industries for energy applications. In the first stage of the current study, three types of biodiesels were selected, first one is Manilkara zapota methyl ester (MZME) derived from non-edible sapodilla seeds, the second one Artocarpus heterophyllus methyl ester (AHME) extracted from nonedible jackfruit seeds, and the third one Microalgae methyl ester (MME) obtained from micro-organisms Chlorella Vulgaris.