Performance Characteristics of a Diesel Engine Using Mahua Biodiesel as Alternate Fuel

Abstract: The aim of this study is to assess the performance, emission and combustion characteristics of diesel engine using mahua methyl esters. In the present work, mahua methyl esters and its blends with diesel were used as fuel. Various proportions of mahua methyl ester fuel blends (25 % and 50%) were used for conducting the performance tests at varying load conditions. Various parameters such as thermal efficiency, specific fuel consumption, emission of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen gases in exhaust were recorded. The important properties of mahua methyl esters are compared with diesel standards. The test results indicate that the fuel of B25 can be used in diesel engines without any engine modifications. Key words: Biodiesel Mahua methyl esters Performance Emission Combustion INTRODUCTION Blending of vegetable oils with diesel fuel The transport sector plays a major role in the [6] and results in low CO, HC and smoke economic development of the country. The motor vehicle emission and higher thermal efficiency [7]. population in India is about 80 million and has also Biodiesel is eco friendly and renewable in nature. increased tremendously over the last decade; which has Numerous researchers carried out with dissimilar type