An experimental study of the effects of fuel injection pressure on the characteristics of a diesel engine fueled by the third generation Azolla biodiesel. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thiruvenkatachari, S.; Saravanan, C.G.; Raman, Vallinayagam; Vikneswaran, M.; Josephin, J.S. Femilda; Varuvel, Edwin Geo
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 308:Part 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Azolla -- Injection pressure -- Diesel -- BTE -- Emission; aTDC after Top Dead Centre -- bTDC before Top Dead Centre -- B20 20% Azolla +80% diesel -- BTE Brake Thermal Efficiency -- CAD Crank Angle Degree -- CA50 Crank angle duration for 50% mass burn fraction -- CI Compression Ignition -- CO Carbon monoxide -- CRDI Common Rail Direct Injection -- FTIR Fourier Transform Infrared Analyzer -- LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gas -- HC Hydrocarbon -- NO Nitrogen Oxide; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136049
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: This study focuses on effectively utilizing the biodiesel extracted from Azolla (third-generation biofuel), which is regarded as a renewable energy source, for fueling diesel engines. Biodiesel is unique due to its increased viscosity and different fatty acid composition, which proved difficult to attain better engine performance with a mechanical type injection system. This study expands on the previous investigation in modifying the fuel system when using Azolla biodiesel by using a common rail fuel injection system with wider injection flexibility. Considering the lack of more engine optimization studies for Azolla biodiesel, a parametric study is conducted by changing the fuel injection pressure in the range between 300 bar and 900 bar for diesel engine fueled by B20 (20% Azolla +80% diesel) blend. The experimental engine study revealed that the physical properties of the fuel adversely affect the in-cylinder combustion, which leads to poor engine performance and higher emissions at lower injection pressure (300 bar) for B20 when compared to diesel. As the injection pressure increases, the fuel atomization and other spray characteristics are enhanced and thereby improve the combustion. The Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) for B20 at 900 bar injection pressure is 3% higher than the diesel fuel at 300 bar injection pressure under full load conditions. The HC, CO, and smoke emission in the engine exhaust for B20 at 900 bar injection pressure was reduced by 13.3%, 28.5%, and 12.3%, respectively, when compared to diesel. Overall, this study recommends the operation of Azolla biodiesel blend in diesel at 900 bar fuel injection pressure to attain improved engine characteristics. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Azolla biodiesel was extracted from Azolla microphylla and blended with diesel in the ratio of 20:80. Azolla-diesel blend (B20) was tested in a diesel engine at fuel injection pressures varied from 300 to 900 bar. B20 blend showed improved BTE at higher fuel injection pressure. CO, HC, and smoke emissions of the B20 blend decreased with increasing fuel injection pressure.