Performance of a CI Engine with Different Blends of Mahua (Madhuca Longifolia) Biodiesel under Varying Operating Conditions

This paper presents the results of investigations carried out on performance of biodiesel obtained from mahua oil and its blends with diesel from 20%, 40 % and 60 % by volume for running a diesel engine. The properties of these blends were found to be comparable to diesel and confirming to both the American and European standards. Engine performance (brake specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency) and emissions (CO, smoke density) were measured to evaluate and compute the behavior of the diesel engine running on biodiesel at two injection pressures i.e. 180 bar and 240 bar and temperatures of 30, 50 and 70 ° C. The increase in power output, brake thermal efficiency and reduction in brake specific fuel consumption were observed. Injection pressure and fuel temperature were found to have significant effects on engine performance parameters. The power output decreased with increase in the concentration of mahua methyl ester in diesel and increased with the increase in injection pressure and fuel temperature. The reductions in exhaust emissions and brake specific fuel consumption together with increase brake power, brake thermal efficiency made the blend of biodiesel (B20) a suitable alternative fuel for diesel and thus could help in controlling air pollution.