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Evaluation of methyl ester derived from novel Chlorella emersonii as an alternative feedstock for DI diesel engine & its combustion, performance and tailpipe emissions

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Abstract

This work examines the feasibility of fueling methyl ester derived from green algae species, Chlorella emersonii in a compression ignition engine. This work also proposes Chlorella emersonii methyl ester (CEME) as a potential alternative energy source since the above species is available extensively in freshwater, marine and aquatic ecosystems throughout the world. CEME was blended with petroleum diesel fuel at various volume proportions of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 100% and their properties were analyzed as per ASTM standards for its application as biofuel. The prepared test fuels were analyzed experimentally in a single cylinder diesel engine at a constant speed (1500 rev/min) for its performance, combustion and emission (regulated and unregulated) characteristics. Test results indicated that, the characteristics of 20% CEME+80% DIESEL fuel blend was in par with neat DIESEL fuel in terms of thermal efficiency, THC (total hydrocarbon), CO (carbon monoxide) and smoke emissions. However, CEME blends resulted in slightly higher levels of CO2 (carbon dioxide) and NOx (oxides of nitrogen) emissions. In terms of unregulated emissions, CEME blends in DIESEL showed lowered toluene and acetaldehyde emissions. However, acetone and formaldehyde emissions increased with higher percentage of CEME in DIESEL blend. At full load, the attained cylinder pressure and heat release rate of CEME were comparatively lower than DIESEL fuel. Overall, it can be concluded that B20 (20% CEME +80% DIESEL fuel) blend can be a positive variant feedstock and it can be utilized in an unmodified diesel engine with minimal tailpipe emissions.

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Abbreviations

ASTM:

American Society for Testing and Materials

BSEC:

Brake Specific Fuel Consumption

BTE:

Brake Thermal Efficiency

CEME:

Chlorella Emersonii Methyl Ester

CEO:

Chlorella Emersonii Oil

CHRR:

Cumulative Heat Release Rate

CO:

Carbon monoxide

CO2 :

Carbon dioxide

EGT:

Exhaust Gas Temperature

H2O:

Water

HRR:

Heat Release Rate

ID:

Ignition delay

MR:

Methanol-to-oil ratio

NOx:

Oxides of Nitrogen

O2 :

Oxygen

THC:

Total unburned Hydrocarbon

P:

Instantaneous heat release rate, N/m2

V:

Instantaneous cylinder volume, m3

ΔX:

Uncertainty of measured variables

Xi :

Number of readings

\( \overline{{\mathrm{X}}_{\mathrm{i}}} \) :

Experimental readings

θ:

Crank angle, degree

γ :

Ratio of specific heats (Cp/Cv), kJ/kgK

˙Qlw :

Blow-by losses, J/oCA

\( \frac{d{Q}_{lw}}{d\theta} \) :

Heat transfer to combustion chamber walls, J/oCA

\( \frac{{\mathrm{d}\mathrm{Q}}_{\mathrm{n}}}{\mathrm{d}\uptheta} \) :

Net heat release rate, J/oCA

\( \frac{{\mathrm{d}\mathrm{Q}}_{\mathrm{g}}}{\mathrm{d}\uptheta} \) :

Gross heat release rate, J/oCA

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), University Grand Commission (UGC), New Delhi and Government of India for its technical support for this investigation; thank Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University for its assistance in algal growth, culture and oil extraction. The authors also thank the Chemical engineering department, Anna University for fuel property characterization.

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  1. Department of Automobile Engineering, Madras Institute of Technology Campus, Anna University, Chromepet, Chennai, 600044, India

    Lingesan Subramani

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, 600077, India

    Harish Venu

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Subramani, L., Venu, H. Evaluation of methyl ester derived from novel Chlorella emersonii as an alternative feedstock for DI diesel engine & its combustion, performance and tailpipe emissions. Heat Mass Transfer 55, 1513–1534 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-018-2530-0

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