Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A numerical study on the performance, combustion and emission parameters of a compression ignition engine fuelled with diesel, palm stearin biodiesel and alcohol blends

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A numerical simulation has been carried out in this study to evaluate the effect of alcohol addition to the blends of diesel and palm stearin biodiesel on the performance, combustion and emission of a diesel engine. The commercial software Diesel-RK has been used in this study to simulate a single-cylinder, naturally aspirated, direct injection, four-stroke diesel engine. The simulated results have been validated against experimental observation for the base fuel diesel. The effects of two alcohols, namely ethanol and methanol have been separately investigated and compared. The results indicate that although the brake-specific fuel consumption is slightly increased, the other performance characteristics and the entire combustion and emission parameters are improved with alcohol addition to diesel–biodiesel blends. The instantaneous heat release rate, ignition delay and oxides of nitrogen emission are found to be more with methanol than with ethanol. The diesel–biodiesel blend also shows better combustion and emission characteristics than that of diesel except oxides of nitrogen emission.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

CI:

Compression ignition

CO2 :

Carbon dioxide

NO x :

Oxides of nitrogen

PM:

Particulate matter

BE20:

A blend of 20 % ethanol and 80 % methyl soyate (by volume)

HC:

Hydrocarbon

THC:

Total hydrocarbon

CO:

Carbon monoxide

LHV:

Lower heating value

SO x :

Oxides of sulphur

bTDC:

Before top dead centre

PSME:

Palm stearin methyl ester

DP15:

A blend of 15 % palm stearin methyl ester and 85 % diesel

DPSE15:

A blend of 15 % palm stearin methyl ester, 15 % ethanol and 70 % diesel

DPSM15:

A blend of 15 % palm stearin methyl ester, 15 % methanol and 70 % diesel

\(\dot{m}_{j}\) :

Mass flow rate of the jth species (kg/sec)

m :

The total mass within the control cylinder (kg)

\(m_{\text{i}}\) :

Mass of the ith species (kg/sec)

\(Y_{i}^{j}\) :

Stoichiometric coefficients on the product side

\(Y_{i}^{\text{cyl}}\) :

Stoichiometric coefficients on the reactant side

\({\dot{\text{S}}}_{\text{gen}}\) :

Net generation rate of the ith species (kg/sec)

\(\varOmega_{i}\) :

Molar Rate of Production (mol/sec)

W mw :

Molecular weight (kg/mol)

v :

Specific volume (m3/kg)

\(\rho\) :

Density (kg/m3)

\(\dot{m}_{\text{a}}\) :

Air mass flow rate into the engine (kg/sec)

\(\dot{m}_{\text{f}}\) :

Fuel mass flow rate into the engine (kg/sec)

ω :

Angular crank velocity (rpm)

m a :

Engine intake air flow rate (kg/sec)

\(\tau\) :

Time (sec)

n :

Engine speed (rpm)

T :

Temperature (K)

p :

In-cylinder pressure (bar)

CN:

Cetane number of the fuel

\(\frac{{{\text{d}}x}}{{{\text{d}}\tau }}\) :

Heat release rate (J/sec)

\(\phi\) :

Crank angle used at combustion simulation (°CA)

x 0 :

Fraction of burnt fuel during ignition delay

x :

Fraction of fuel burnt

K T :

Evaporation constant

p :

Cylinder pressure (MPa)

T z :

Temperature in a burnt gas zone (K)

R :

Gas constant (J/(mol·K)

\(\left[ {\text{NO}} \right]_{\text{e}}\) :

Equilibrium concentrations of an oxide of nitrogen

\(\left[ {{\text{N}}_{ 2} } \right]_{\text{e}}\) :

Equilibrium concentrations of an molecular nitrogen

\(\left[ {\text{O}} \right]_{\text{e}}\) :

Equilibrium concentrations of atomic oxygen

\(\left[ {{\text{O}}_{ 2} } \right]_{\text{e}}\) :

Equilibrium concentrations of molecular oxygen

V :

Current volume of cylinder (cc)

q c :

Cycle fuel mass (kg)

dx/dt :

Heat release rate (J/deg)

References

  • Alkidas AC (1984) Relationship between smoke measurements and particular measurements. SAE Technical Paper No. 840412

  • Anand K, Sharma RP, Mehta PS (2011) Experimental investigation on combustion, performance and emission characteristics of neat karanji biodiesel and its methanol blend in a diesel engine. Biomass Bioenergy 35:533–541

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barabas I, Todorut A, Baldean D (2010) Performance and emission characteristics of an CI engine fueled with diesel–biodiesel–bioethanol blends. Fuel 89:3827–3832

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bayraktar H (2008) An experimental study on the performance parameters of an experimental CI engine fueled with diesel–methanol–dodecanol blends. Fuel 87:158–164

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buyukkaya E (2010) Effects of biodiesel on a DI diesel engine performance, emission and combustion characteristics. Fuel 89:3099–3105

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Canakci M, Sayin C, Gumus M (2008) Exhaust emissions and combustion characteristics of a direct injection (DI) diesel engine fueled with methanol-diesel fuel blends at different injection timings. Energy Fuel 22:3709–3723

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chao MR, Lin TC, Chao HR, Chang FH, Chen CB (2001) Effects of methanol-containing additive on emission characteristics from a heavy-duty diesel engine. Sci Total Environ 279:167–179

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen SK, Flynn PF (1965) Development of a single cylinder compression ignition research engine. SAE Technical Paper No. 650733

  • Cheng CH, Cheung CS, Chan TL, Lee SC, Yao CD, Tsang KS (2008) Comparison of emissions of a direct injection diesel engine operating on biodiesel with emulsified and fumigated methanol. Fuel 87:1870–1879

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chuah LF, Aziz ARA, Yusup S, Bokhari A, Klemes JJ, Abdullah MZ (2015) Performance and emission of diesel engine fuelled by waste cooking oil methyl ester derived from palm olein using hydrodynamic cavitation. Clean Technol Environ Policy 17:2229–2241

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Datta A, Mandal BK (2016) A comprehensive review of biodiesel as an alternative fuel for compression ignition engine. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 57:799–821

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fiveland SB, Assanis DN (2000) A four-stroke homogeneous charge compression ignition engine simulation for combustion and performance studies. SAE Technical Paper No. 2000-01-0332

  • Heywood JB (1988) Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals. McGraw-Hill Co, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang ZH, Lu HB, Jiang DM, Zeng K, Liu B, Zhang JQ, Wang XB (2004a) Combustion characteristics and heat release analysis of a compression ignition engine operating on a diesel/methanol blend. Proc Inst Mech Eng D 218:1011–1024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang ZH, Lu HB, Jiang DM, Zeng K, Liu B, Zhang JQ, Wang XB (2004b) Engine performance and emissions of a compression ignition engine operating on the diesel–methanol blends. Proc Inst Mech Eng D 218:435–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imdadul HK, Masjuki HH, Kalam MA, Zulkifli NWM, Alabdulkarem A, Kamruzzaman M, Rashed MM (2016a) A comparative study of C4 and C5 alcohol treated diesel–biodiesel blends in terms of diesel engine performance and exhaust emission. Fuel 179:281–288

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Imdadul HK, Masjuki HH, Kalam MA, Zulkifli NWM, Alabdulkarem A, Rashed MM, Teoh YH, How HG (2016b) Higher alcohol–biodiesel–diesel blends: an approach for improving the performance, emission, and combustion of a light-duty diesel engine. Energy Convers Manag 111:174–185

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • India Biofuels Annual- GAIN Report, 2015, http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Recent%20GAIN%20Publications/Biofuels%20Annual_New%20Delhi_India_7-1-2015.pdf

  • International Transport Forum, Reducing Transport Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Trends & Data 2010, http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/Pub/pdf/10GHGTrends.pdf

  • Kalam MA, Masjuki HH (2004) Biodiesel from palm oil-an analysis of its properties and potential. Biomass Bioenergy 23:471–479

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kannan D, Pachamuthu S, Nabi MdN, Hustad JE, Løvås T (2012) Theoretical and experimental investigation of diesel engine performance, combustion and emissions analysis fuelled with the blends of ethanol, diesel and jatropha methyl ester. Energy Convers Manag 53(1):322–331

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Knothe G, Gerpen JV (2005) The Biodiesel Handbook. AOCS Publishing, Urbana

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kuleshov AS (2005) Model for predicting air-fuel mixing, combustion and emissions in DI diesel engines over whole operating range. SAE Technical Paper No. 2005-01-2119

  • Kuleshov AS (2006) Use of multi-zone DI diesel spray combustion model for simulation and optimization of performance and emissions of engines with multiple injection. SAE Technical Paper No. 2006-01-1385

  • Kuleshov AS (2007) Multi-zone DI diesel spray combustion model and its application for matching the injector design with piston bowl shape. SAE Technical Paper No. 2007-01-1908

  • Kuleshov AS (2009) Multi-zone DI diesel spray combustion model for thermodynamic simulation of engine with PCCI and high EGR level. SAE Technical Paper No. 2009-01-1956

  • Kumar RS, Kumar KS (2015) Effect of methanol blending with Pongamia pinnata biodiesel and diesel blends on engine performance and exhaust emission characteristics of an unmodified compression ignition engine. Int J Ambient Energy 36(2):70–75

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar S, Chaube A, Jain SK (2012) Critical review of jatropha biodiesel promotion policies in India. Energy Policy 41:775–781

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kwanchareon P, Luengnaruemitchai A, Samai JL (2007) Solubility of a diesel- biodiesel-ethanol blend, its fuel properties, and its emission characteristics from diesel engine. Fuel 86:1053–1061

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McAulay KJ, Wu T, Chen SK., Borman GL., Myers PS, Uyehara OA (1965) Development and evaluation of the simulation of the compression-ignition engine. SAE Technical Paper No. 650451

  • Nabi MdN, Rahman MdM, Akhter MdS (2009) Biodiesel from cotton seed oil and its effect on engine performance and exhaust emissions. Appl Therm Eng 29:2265–2270

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ng J-H, Ng HK, Gan S (2010a) Advances in biodiesel fuel for application in compression ignition engines. Clean Technol Environ Policy 12:459–493

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ng J-H, Ng HK, Gan S (2010b) Recent trends in policies, socioeconomy and future directions of the biodiesel industry. Clean Technol Environ Policy. 12:213–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qi DH, Chen H, Geng LM, Ren XCH (2010) Performance and combustion characteristics of biodiesel-diesel-methanol blend fuelled engine. Appl Energy 87:1679–1686

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Report of the Committee on Development of Bio-Fuel, Planning Commission, Government of India, 2003, http://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/genrep/cmtt_bio.pdf

  • Sadeghinezhad E, Kazi SN, Badarudin A, Oon CS, Zubir MNM, Mehrali M (2013) A comprehensive review of bio-diesel as alternative fuel for compression ignition engines. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 28:410–424

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sadeghinezhad E, Kazi SN, Sadeghinejad F, Badarudin A, Mehrali M, Sadri R, Safaei MR (2014a) A comprehensive literature review of bio-fuel performance in internal combustion engine and relevant costs involvement. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 30:29–44

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sadeghinezhad E, Kazi SN, Badarudin A, Togun H, Zubir MNM, Oon CS, Gharehkhani S (2014b) Sustainability and environmental impact of ethanol as a biofuel. Rev Chem Eng 30(1):51–72

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sayin C (2010) Engine performance and exhaust gas emissions of methanol and ethanol–diesel blends. Fuel 89:3410–3415

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar MS, Ramesh A, Nagalingam B (2003) An experimental comparison of methods to use methanol and Jatropha oil in a compression ignition engine. Biomass Bioenergy 25(3):309–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shi X, Yu Y, He H, Shuai S, Wang J, Li R (2005) Emission characteristics using methyl soyate–ethanol–diesel fuel blends on a diesel engine. Fuel 84:1543–1549

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi X, Pang X, Mu Y, He H, Shuai S, Wang J, Chen H, Li R (2006) Emission reduction potential of using ethanol–biodiesel–diesel fuel blend on a heavy-duty diesel engine. Atmos Environ 40:2567–2574

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sivalakshmi S, Balusamy T (2012) Influence of ethanol addition on a diesel engine fuelled with neem oil methyl ester. Int J Green Energy 9(3):218–228

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sonar D, Soni SL, Sharma D, Srivastava A, Goyal R (2015) Performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine with varying injection pressure and fuelled with raw mahua oil (preheated and blends) and mahua oil methyl ester. Clean Technol Environ Policy 17:1499–1511

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Venkata Subbaiah G, Raja Gopal K (2011) An experimental investigation on the performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine fuelled with rice bran biodiesel and ethanol blends. Int J Green Energy 8(2):197–208

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Woschni G (1967) A universally applicable equation for the instantaneous heat transfer coefficient in the internal combustion engine. SAE Technical Paper No. 670931

  • Yilmaz N (2012) Effects of intake air preheat and fuel blend ratio on a diesel engine operating on biodiesel-methanol blends. Fuel 84:444–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz N, Sanchez TM (2012) Analysis of operating a diesel engine on biodiesel-ethanol and biodiesel-methanol blends. Energy 46(1):126–129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Van Gerpen JH (1996) Combustion analysis of soybean oil in a diesel engine. SAE Technical Paper No. 960765

  • Zhu L, Cheung CS, Zhang WG, Huang Z (2010) Emissions characteristics of a diesel engine operating on biodiesel and biodiesel blended with ethanol and methanol. Sci Total Environ 408(4):914–921

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu L, Cheung CS, Zhang WG, Huang Z (2011) Combustion, performance and emission characteristics of a DI diesel engine fueled with ethanol–biodiesel blends. Fuel 90:1743–1750

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal, 711103, India

    Ambarish Datta & Bijan Kumar Mandal

Authors
  1. Ambarish Datta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bijan Kumar Mandal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bijan Kumar Mandal.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Datta, A., Mandal, B.K. A numerical study on the performance, combustion and emission parameters of a compression ignition engine fuelled with diesel, palm stearin biodiesel and alcohol blends. Clean Techn Environ Policy 19, 157–173 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-016-1202-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-016-1202-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation