Assessing the Impact of the Compression Ratio on Emission and Performance Attributes of Jatropha Biodiesel Fuelled VCR Engine.

Abstract

In the view of fast diminishing petroleum reservoirs and polluted environment, it’s the need of time to opt for a viable alternative to diesel fuel. Fuels derived from plant oils or animal fats are better alternatives to diesel fuels. The jatropha derived from the non-edible plant has proven its ability for being an alternative to conventional diesel. The variable compression ratio (VCR) technology is recognised for improving the performance, efficiency, fuel economy with reduced emission from the engine. The VCR engine can operate at various compression ratios, by altering the combustion chamber volume. In this research, the exhaust emissions and the performance characteristics of fossil diesel and ϳаtrophа-diesel blends were evaluated. A single cylinder, four stroke, constant speed, water cooled, VCR engine was useԁ for the experiments. The experiments performed for seven levels of CR, i.e. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 using six various blends, i.e. B0, B20, B40, B60, B80 and B100. The load varied from no load to full load condition with five levels. The measured values were analyseԁ for various response parameters like brake thermal efficiency (Bth), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and emissions of СO2, СO, NOX and HC. The results were analysed through ANOVA, and the value of CR was optimised.