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Application of potential green algal for power generation as a likely and fractional alternative

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Abstract

There is a dramatic rise in the use of non-renewable fuels, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene oil, and coal, all of which contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases and, ultimately, global warming. To mitigate these problems, biodiesel manufacturing might use renewable fuels derived from microalgae. The economic and ecological advantages of biodiesel generation from microalgae have prompted its development in various sizes. Over 50,000 known microalgae species can thrive in water, soil, and sunlight conditions. By absorbing solar energy, microalgae may produce bio-oil. Microalgae biodiesel production is becoming popular due to its potential to mitigate climate change. Because of its potential application as a renewable car fuel, microalgae gravitate toward its direction. This study aims to supplement traditional energy sources with the energy produced by algae. Blends of algae methyl ester (AME) and diesel at 10%, 20%, and 30% volume are produced by a chemical process known as acid-catalytic transesterification. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is activated in the engine used in this research to moderate NO emissions from oxygen-rich fuel mixtures. The AME/diesel mixes performed similarly to diesel in performance testing. Using a mixture of AME and diesel increased fuel consumption by 2.2% and 0.3% power reductions. Smoke, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbon emissions from the tailpipe were reduced by 2.2%, 0.013%, and 17 ppm, respectively. In contrast, nitrogen oxide emissions were enhanced by 92 ppm for the AME/diesel mixes compared to diesel. Interestingly, 10 and 30% EGR significantly reduced NO emissions from all test fuels. At a 30% EGR rate, NO emissions decreased by 78 ppm, but other regulated emissions increased to an extent. This study concludes that AME biodiesel should be used as a possible partial replacement for diesel fuel because of its positive effects on the environment and enhanced fuel combustion pattern.

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Not applicable.

Abbreviations

BSFC:

Brake-specific fuel consumption

BTE:

Brake thermal efficiency

CC:

Combustion chamber

CI:

Compression-ignition

CO:

Carbon monoxide

CCI:

Calculated cetane index

EGR:

Exhaust gas recirculation

LHV:

Lower heating value

HHV:

Higher heating value

AME:

Algae methyl ester

AME10D90:

10% of AME with 90% of diesel by volume

AME20D80:

20% of AME with 80% of diesel by volume

AME30D70:

30% of AME with 70% of diesel by volume

HC:

Hydrocarbon

NO:

Nitrous oxide

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Thermal Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

    Yuvarajan Devarajan

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology, Chembarambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600124, India

    DineshBabu Munuswamy

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Madanapalle Institute of Technology & Science, Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, India

    D Arunkumar

  4. Department of Prosthodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, SIMATS, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

    T Raja

  5. School of Mechanical Engineering Department, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

    Ruby Mishra

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  1. Yuvarajan Devarajan
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  3. D Arunkumar
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Contributions

Yuvarajan D, DineshBabu Munuswamy, Arunkumar D, Raja T, and Ruby Mishra investigated and curated data from the study.

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Correspondence to Yuvarajan Devarajan or T Raja.

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Devarajan, Y., Munuswamy, D., Arunkumar, D. et al. Application of potential green algal for power generation as a likely and fractional alternative. Biomass Conv. Bioref. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04870-x

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