Performance Parameters of an Internal Combustion Engine Fueled by used Luffa cylindrica Biodiesel Blend with Petrol Diesel

Abstract

This study compares performance of biodiesel to petroleum diesel blends in an internal combustion (IC) engine. B0 to B50 were characterized and tested for performance. Engine performance and emissions were examined using specific fuel consumption (SFC), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and brake thermal efficiency (BTE) from different blends. Biodiesel production from Luffa cylindrica oil yielded 92.436% fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and 0.431 mgKOH/g acid with octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester, a linoleic acid, having the highest concentration of fatty acids at 30.29% and hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, at 20.81%. The pure petroleum diesel had a calorific value of 43.814 MJ/kg, greater than B50 blends with calorific values of and 40.418 MJ/kg. Fuel consumption decreased steadily from about 2.6 lt/hr B20 to about 1.8 lt/hr B50. Increase in biodiesel blend from B0 to B50 was observed to result in a decrease in SO₂ levels from 1.2ppm to 1.4ppm respectively and calorific values decreased significantly. Blending biodiesel with petroleum diesel improves the physical properties of diesel fuel. Blending biodiesel with petroleum fuel lowers the emissions from internal combustion engines. The performance of an IC engine was improved by using biodiesel blends in terms of brake thermal efficiency and brake specific fuel consumption. Blends of biodiesel are more efficient than pure petroleum diesel in terms of fuel consumption rate for a given load