Experimental investigations on the performance and emission characteristics of single cylinder CI engine fueled with cardanol - Diesel - Methanol blends

Abstract

In this study, non edible oil namely Cardanol is directly blended with diesel for use in a single cylinder CI engine. Mthanol is added as an additive to improve the volatility, atomization etc. Experiments are carried out with various blends of cardanol namely B20 and B30 with 10% methanol and results are compared with B20. Results have shown that blend of 20% cardanol in diesel with 10% methanol gives higher brake thermal efficiency (BTE) at all loads compared to the 20% cardanol in diesel and minimum NOx emissions are observed. Smoke opacity and CO emissions are lower for the blend of 20% cardanol in diesel with 10% methanol than B20 at all load conditions. The results reveal that blend of 20% Cardanol - in diesel with 10% volume provide better engine performance (BTE) and improved emission characteristics.