Performance Characteristics of a Diesel Engine Fuelled with Biodiesel Produced from Mahua Oil Using Additive

IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE)
e-ISSN: 2278-1684,p-ISSN: 2320-334X, Volume 8, Issue 2 (Jul. - Aug. 2013), PP 26-34
www.iosrjournals.org
www.iosrjournals.org 26 | Page
Performance Characteristics of a Diesel Engine Fuelled with
Biodiesel Produced from Mahua Oil Using Additive
Purna C. Mishra1*
, Swarup. K. Nayak1
, Durga. P. Ghosh1
, Manoj
Ukamanal1
,Sushanta.K. Sahu1
1
School of Mechanical Engineering, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar - 751024, Odisha, India
Abstract: The demand for consumption of petroleum products increased with vehicles population.For
addressing the present problem we discussed alternate fuel. Moreover, the alternate fuel must be produced in
such a manner that it can be used directly in present engines without much engine modifications. Edible and
non-edible oils are the main source for alternate fuel. In this paper we have discussed the performance
characteristics of a diesel engine fuelled with mahua oil using additive. Due to high viscosity and low volatility
of non-edible oils their prolonged use is not advisable. These problems can be minimised by the
transesterification process which is a reaction of triglyceride and alcohol in presence of a catalyst to produce
mono alkyl ester which is known as biodiesel and glycerol .The biodiesel was blended with additive in various
proportions to prepare a number of test fuels which are tested on a diesel engine to studyvarious parameters
like carbon residue, fire point, flash point, viscosity, pour point, cloud point, cetane index etc. and compare
those with that of diesel . The result shows biodiesel with 10% additive (Dimethyl carbonate) is best suited for
diesel engine.
Keywords:-Mahua oil, Diesel, Additive, Transesterification, Engine performance
I. Introduction
In this century, it is observed that crude oil and its products will become very scare and costly. As the
numbers of engines are increasing, the consumption of fuel is also increasing [1]. Therefore, enormous increase
in number of vehicles hasled to the depletion of crude oil resources at a steep rate. Diesel will become costly in
the near future. The various biomass based resources can be used as an extender or a complete substitute to the
diesel fuel in agriculture, industrial or transport sector in energy crisis situation [2,3]. The role of diesel in these
sectors has been over emphasised. In fact agriculture and transport sector are almost diesel dependant. So, there
is a need to search for an alternative fuel that can substitute diesel. The various edible oils like sunflower,
soyabean, peanut, cotton seed etc. have successfully tested in diesel engine [4]. Therefore research in the
direction for using non-edible like mahua (Madhuca Indica) oil has been tested as diesel fuel extender. Even
though the properties of vegetable oil and non-edible oil are close to diesel fuel, but to run diesel engine without
any modification usingthese fuels results in severe engine deposits, dilution of lubricating oil with unburnt fuel,
injected choking, piston ring sticking etc.. Most of these problems results due to high viscosity and low
volatility of edible and non-edible oils [6]. Hence there is a need for a better fuel which can compensate these
problems. In this context bio-diesel can be derived from edible and non-edible oil, which serves the purpose.
Bio-diesel can be derived from edible and non-edible oil depending on the availability. If we consider the
economics of producing bio-diesel from mahua oil then the various by-products obtained have good commercial
value. The revenue generated from these by-products shall reduce the overall cost of the bio-diesel [7]. The cost
components of bio-diesel are price of seed, seed collection, oil extraction and transesterification. So the cost bio-
diesel obtained after transesterification process of oil will be close to the cost of the seed required to produce the
bio-diesel [8,9].
1. Transesterification reaction
Transesterification is a reversible reaction between triglyceride and alcohol in presence of catalyst to
produce glycerol and mono alkyl ester which is known as biodiesel [9,10]. Weight of the mono alkyl ester is one
third of that of typical oil and therefore has lower viscosity. Alkali (NaOH, KOH), acid (H2SO4, HCL) or
enzymes (lipase) catalyzed reaction. Acid catalyzed transesterification is most commonly used process because
it is a reversible reaction [10]. In the transesterification process methanol and ethanol are more common.
Methanol is more extensively used due to its low cost and physiochemical advantages with triglycerides and
alkali are dissolved in it [11,12]. Studies have been carried out in different oils like soyabean, sunflower,
jathropa, karanja, neem, etc. Mostly biodiesel is produced by base catalyzed transesterification process of oil
and it is more economical. Here the process is a reaction of triglyceride with alcohol to form mono alkyl ester
commonly known as biodiesel and glycerol as by product [12]. The main reason for doing titration to biodiesel

Performance Characteristics of a Diesel Engine Fuelled with Biodiesel Produced from Mahua Oil
is to find out the amount alkaline needed to completely neutralize any free fatty acid present, thus ensuring a
complete transesterification [13,14].
The chemical reaction which describes the preparation of biodiesel is:
Fig. 1 Reaction process for transesterification
In this figure R1, R2, R3 represent long carbon chains.
II. Materials And Methods
1. Materials
1.1. Mahua (Madhuca Indica)
The two major species of genus madhuca found in India are Madhuca Indica (Longifolia) and Madhuca
Indica (Latifolia). The seed potential of this tree in India is 500,000 tons and oil potential is 180,000
tons.Madhuca latifolia can be from medium size to large deciduous tree, distributed in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat,
Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Madhuca Longifolia, a large ever green tree found in south
Indiaand evergreen forest of the western ghats. It attains a height up to 70ft. The tree matures within 8 to 15
years and fruits up to 60 years. The kernels are 70% of seed by weight. Oil content in Latifolia is 46% and 52%
in Longifolia. In seed oil content 35% and 16% protein.
1.2Dimethyl carbonate
Di methyl carbonate is a colourless, transparent liquid under normal temperature.
TABLE I
PROPERTIES OF DIMETHYL CARBONATE
Molecular Formula C3H6O3
Molar mass 90.08 gm/mole
Appearance Clear liquid
Density 1.069-1.073 gm/mole
Melting point (275-277 K)
2. Methodology
1. Heating and Cooling:
One litre of mahua oil was poured into the glass beaker and placed on heater for heating. Oil was
heated above 100⁰c (approximately 115⁰c) with beaker mouth open to atmosphere and maintained this
temperature about 15 minutes, this is done to remove the water particles present in the oil which effect the
reactions that are performed on the oil further. Heating was performed with continuous stirring and this is
performed by magnetic stirrer which is placed inside the glass beaker in the oil. This is done to avoid formation
of large water vapour bubbles inside the beaker which on a sudden evaporation may cause explosion. After this
part cool the oil to 45⁰C-50⁰C. Filter the cooled oil with a neat cloth for removing any dust or dirt particles
present in it.
Fig. 2 Preheating of raw mahua oil

2. Acid Treatment:
Add 120-150ml of CH3OH methanol per litre of oil and close the conical flask with rubber stopper, this
is done to avoid evaporation of methanol (since the boiling point temperature of methanol is 550
C to 60⁰C).
After half an hour add 3-7 ml of H2SO4 and maintain the temperature between 500
C-55⁰C (should not be more
than 60⁰C). After 1 hour (reaction time) take this liquid into separating flask for 2 or 3 hours later the liquid
separates into two immiscible liquids.
Fig. 3 Acid treatment
3. Base Treatment:
Heat the oil to (40-45) 0
C in the conical flask. Take 200ml of methanol in round bottom flask and add
6.5gm of sodium hydroxide pellets and shake well so that there is no solved particle of sodium particles. This
forms the sodium methoxide solution. Mix the sodium methoxide with the acid treated oil n maintains the
temperature of (50-58) 0
C in conical flask. The reaction time is (1hr-1 1/2 hr).The temperature should not
exceed above 600
C as the methanol evaporates above 600
C and stirring is done throughout the reaction. The
colour of the oil changes from pale yellow to dark brown. Pour the oil in the separating funnel.
Fig. 4 Base treatment
4. Settling:
The oil has been settled for 12hr. we observe the biodiesel at the top of funnel glycerol at the bottom.
Remove the glycerol from the bottom of the separating funnel.
Fig. 5 Settling of acid treatment Fig. 6 Settling of base treatment

5. Water Wash:
Take the oil into the separating funnel, mix distilled water with oil about half the volume of oil in
separating funnel. Add 2 or 3 drops of Ortho-phosphoric acid. Keep bubbling for half an hour and this is
repeated a number of times until clear water and oil are visible.
Fig. 7 Water wash Fig. 8 After water wash
6. Heating:
Heat the Biodiesel above 110 0
C (say 1150
C) with beaker mouth opened to atmosphere and maintains
this temperature for about 15min. This is done to remove the water particles from biodiesel. Heating should be
done with continuous stirring and this is performed my magnetic stirrer which is placed inside the glass beaker
in the biodiesel. This is done to avoid formation of large water vapor bubbles inside the beaker which on sudden
evaporation may cause explosion.
Fig. 9 Pure biodiesel

Flow Chart Representation
Fig. 10 Flow chart for mahua oil methyl ester preparation.
TABLE II
PARAMETERS OF THE PROCESSES
Sl.No Process parameters Description
1 Process selected Alkali catalyzed transesterification
2 Volume of oil being used 1000 ml of raw mahua oil
3 Reaction temperature 50-550
C
4 Methanol used 120 ml/kg of oil
5 Catalyst used KOH , 0.5-1 % per kg of oil
6 Stirring speed 500 rpm
7 Reaction time 1.5-2 hours
8 Settling time 8-10 hours
9 Water wash 4-5 times (40 min.)
3. Characteristics of test fuels
TABLE III
COMPARISON OF FUEL PROPERTIES FOR DIESEL AND BIODIESEL
Sl.No Properties of fuel Unit Diesel Biodiesel
1 Kinematic viscosity at 400C cSt. 4.57 5.39
2 Specific gravity at 150C - 0.8668 0.8712
3 Flash point 0C 42 157
4 Fire point 0C 68 183
5 Pour point 0C -18 2
6 Cloud point 0C -3 16
7 Cetane index - 50.6 51.2
8 Calorific value KJ/Kg-K 42850 42293
Raw mahua oil
Test Engine
Heating up to 1000
C
Filtered raw mahua oil
Acid treatment
Murky solution Glycerol is separated
Straw yellow
Base treatment
Glycerine is separated
Water wash
Pure biodiesel
Raw mahua oil

4. Test Engine
Fig. 11 Picture of the test engine
TABLE IV
ENGINE SPECIFICATION
Sl.No Particulars Description
1 Engine type Single cylinder, 4-stroke. vertical water cooled diesel engine
2 Bore diameter 80 mm
3 Stroke length 110 mm
4 Compression ratio 16:1
5 Rated power 3.67 KW
6 Rated speed 1500 rpm
7 Dynamometer Rope brake dynamometer
The test bed consists of diesel engine, mechanical dynamometer, dead weight for loading the engine (in
kg), hand tachometer to measure the speed (rpm), orifice meter in conjunction with U-tube manometer
measuring volume flow rate of air, graduate burette for volume flow rate of fuel in cc and measuring jar for
measuring cooling water flow rate [15,16]. The prepared bio-diesel is poured into the cylindrical tank. Then the
level of fuel and lubricating oil is checked. The 3-way cock is opened so that the fuel flows to the engine.
Cooling water is supplied through the inlet pipe [17]. The engine is then started with the supply of the fuel. The
speed of the engine is kept constant for varying load conditions i.e. N=1500 rpm. The observation included
manometerreading, time taken for 20cc of fuel consumption, load at which reading is taken, inlet and outlet
temperature of water and the exhaust gas temperature [18]. The readings were noted down carefully with respect
to load applied on the engine and blend composition of bio-diesel with additive. The above procedure is
repeated for bio-diesel with different proportion of additive blend with the bio-diesel. Now engine parameters
are found for different load condition i.e. 3kg, 6kg, 9kg and 12kg. These values that were obtained from testing
bio-diesel were used to determine the engine parameters in order to find the performance of the C.I. engine
[19,20]

III. Results And Discussion
Fig. 12 BSFCwith Load
Fig. 13 ɳmechwith Load
Fig. 14 A/F Ratiowith Load
Load
A/F
Ratio
Load vs A/F
Ratio
Load
ɳmech
Load
BSF
C
Load vs BSFC

Fig. 15ɳbthwith Load
Fig. 16ɳvolwith Load
Fig. 17Exhaust Temperaturewith Load
From Fig. 12 brake specific fuel consumption with load, we observed that diesel is more economic when
compared with all test fuels which may be due to higher density and viscosity of biodiesel. More the
composition of additive more is the BSFC.
From Fig. 13 mechanical efficiency with load, we observe that biodiesel has highest mechanical efficiency when
compared with rest of the test fuels.
From Fig. 14 air fuel ratio with load, we observed that diesel has highest air fuel ratio when compared with rest
of the test fuels which may be due to higher density and viscosity of biodiesel.
From Fig. 15 brake thermal efficiency with load, we find that B85 has better thermal efficiency than that of all
other test fuels .
From Fig. 16volumetric efficiency with load, we observed that pure bio-diesel has highest equivalence ratio
when compared with all the test fuels.
From Fig. 17 exhaust temperature with load, we observed that diesel has less exhaust temperature when
compared with all other test fuels. Biodiesel has highest exhaust temperature because of highest oxygen content.
Exhaust
Temperature
Load vs Exhaust
Temperature
Load
Load
ɳvol
Load vs ɳvol
Load
ɳbth
Load vs ɳbth

Conclusion
From above discussion we conclude that:-
1. Pure diesel has less exhaust temperature when compared with all other test fuels.
2. Bio-diesel with 15% additive has better thermal efficiency than that of all other test fuels.
3. Diesel has lowest BSFC when compared with all test fuels.
4. Pure bio-diesel has highest equivalence ratio when compared with all the test fuels.
5. Diesel has highest mechanical efficiency when compared with rest of the test fuels.uk
6. Diesel has highest air fuel ratio when compared with rest of the test fuels.
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Performance Characteristics of a Diesel Engine Fuelled with Biodiesel Produced from Mahua Oil Using Additive

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Performance Characteristics of a Diesel Engine Fuelled with Biodiesel Produced from Mahua Oil Using Additive