Replacement (partial) of fossil fuels with alternate fuels has been set as a target worldwide to reduce greenhouse effect and energy dependence as well as to improve economy. Emissions from transportation engines are considered to greatly contribute to green house gases (carbon dioxide) release. In the present day scenario emissions associated with the exhaust of automobiles resulting in global warming is a major menace to the entire world and also detrimental to health. An experimental investigation is conducted to evaluate the use of Plastic Petrol derived from plastic waste in a Spark Ignition engine. The tests are conducted using each of the Gasoline and Plastic Petrol with the engine working at Constant speed. Fuel consumption, and exhaust regulated gas emissions such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and total unburned hydrocarbons are measured. The differences in the measured performance, combustion and exhaust emissions from the baseline operation of the engine, i.e., when working with Gasoline fuel and the Plastic Petrol are determined and compared. The experimental results show that plastic petrol under study shall conveniently be used as
substitute to gasoline in the existing SI engines without any modifications in the aspect of in-cylinder response. Harmful emissions CO and NOX were observed to be low that gasoline at almost all working conditions. Unburned HC and CO2 is observed to be little higher with the use of plastic petrol than the gasoline.
Keywords: SI engine, Emissions, Combustion, Plastic Petrol and Gasoline
Article published in International Journal of Thermal Technologies, Vol.2, No.2 (June 2012)