Author : Ch. Kesava Reddy, Maddali V.S. Murali Krishna,T. Ratna Reddy

In the scenario of depletion of fossil fuels, the search for alternative fuels has become pertinent. Vegetable oils are promising substitutes for diesel fuels. Biodiesels derived from vegetable oils present a very promising alternative to diesel fuel since biodiesels have numerous advantages compared to fossil fuels as they are renewable, biodegradable, provide energy security and foreign exchange savings besides addressing environmental concerns and socio-economic issues. Experiments were conducted to determine exhaust emissions of a low heat rejection (LHR) diesel engine with different operating conditions [normal temperature and pre-heated temperature] of pongamia biodiesel with varied injection timing and injector opening pressure. LHR engine consisted of ceramic coated cylinder head Exhaust emissions of particulate emissions and oxides of nitrogen were determined at various values of brake mean effective pressure of the engine fuelled with biodiesel. Comparative studies on exhaust emissions were made with diesel working on similar conditions. Particulate emissions decreased while oxides of nitrogen were increased with biodiesel operation on LHR engine over conventional engine. They further improved with increase of injector opening pressure, advanced injection timing and preheating of biodiesel.

Keywords: Vegetable oils, Biodiesel; LHR Combustion chamber; Classification; Fuel performance; Exhaust emissions

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.6, No.5 (Oct-2016)