1. EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON PERFORMANCE
AND EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS OF A DIESEL
ENGINE FUELLED WITH MAHUA OIL METHYL ESTER
USING ADDITIVE
Swarup Kumar Nayak, Bhabani Prasanna Pattanaik*
School of Mechanical Engineering, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Presented at the 4th International Conference on “Advances in Energy Research (ICAER – 2013)”
10– 12 December 2013, IIT Bombay

2. OUT LINE OF THE PRESENTATION
 OBJECTIVE
 INTRODUCTION
 REASON FOR BIOFUELS PROMOTION
 BIODIESEL AS AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL
 PREPARATION OF BIO-DIESEL
 EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND EXPERIMENTATION
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSION
 SCOPE FOR FUTURE WORK
 REFERENCES
1

3. OBJECTIVES
 Production of Mahua oil methyl ester (MOME) from neat Mahua oil
via base catalyzed transesterification process.
 Characterization of fuel properties for neat Mahua oil, Mahua oil methyl
ester and comparison with diesel.
 Preparation
of
test
fuels
in
the
form
of
biodiesel
blends
(biodiesel+additive).
 Application of the test fuels to a single cylinder direct injection diesel
engine.
 Estimation of various engine performance and emission parameters using
different test fuels and comparison of those with diesel.
2

4. INTRODUCTION
 Biodiesel is a chemically derived renewable fuel.
 It is chemically known as mono-alkyl ester (methyl ester) of vegetable oil.
 It is non-toxic and biodegradable in nature.
 It is being approved by EPA (Environmental protection agency)
and
CARB (California air resource board).
 Biodiesel is produced from straight vegetable oil, animal oil/fats, and
waste cooking oil via base catalyzed transesterification.
 Biodiesel can be used in the engine in pure form or blended with diesel.
3

5. REASONS FOR BIOFUEL PROMOTION
 It is made from renewable resources.
 It possesses almost similar fuel properties as diesel.
 Biodiesel combustion produces less emissions as compared to diesel.
 It is relatively less inflammable compared to the normal diesel.
 It can be mixed with diesel in any volumetric proportion.
 It requires very little or no engine modifications.
 It contains no sulphur, the element responsible for acid rain.
 There are no extra costs for the conversion of engines in comparison to
other biological fuels.
4

6. BIODIESEL AS ALTERNATIVE FUEL
 Biodiesel is made entirely from edible and non edible sources; it does not
contain any sulphur, aromatic hydrocarbons, metals or crude resources.
 Biodiesel is an oxygenated fuel, emissions of carbon monoxide and soot
reduces.
 The occupational safety and health administration classifies biodiesel as a
non flammable liquid.
 The use of biodiesel can be extending the life of diesel engines because it
is more lubricating than petroleum diesel fuel.
 Biodiesel is produced from renewable edible and non edible oils and
hence improves the fuel or energy security and economy independence.
5

7. MAHUA -A MAJOR SOURCE FOR
BIODIESEL PRODUCTION IN INDIA
 The two major species of genus Madhuca found in India are Madhuca
Indica (latifolia) and Madhuca Longifolia (Longifolia).
 The seed potential of this tree in India is 500,000 tons and oil content is
180,000 tons.
 Madhuca latifolia is a medium sized to large deciduous tree, distributed in
Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar and Uttar
Pradesh.
 Madhuca Longifolia, a large evergreen tree found in South India, and
evergreen forests of the Western Ghats from Konkan Southwards. The tree
is planted and most part of India, propagating either by itself or sown
seeds.
 It attains a height up to 70ft.
 The tree matures from 8 to 15 years, and fruits up to 60 years.

The kernels are 70% of seed by weight.
kernels, having 25 mmx17.5 mm in size.
 Oil content in latifolia is 46% and 52% in Longifolia.
Seed contains two
6

8. PHOTOGRAPH OF MAHUA TREE & FLOWER
7

9. THE TRANSESTERIFICATION REACTION
8

10. EXPERIMENTAL
FLOW CHART FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION
9

11. SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF A SMALL
BIODIESEL REACTOR
10

12. PROCESS PARAMETERS SELECTED
FOR TRANSESTERIFICATION
Sl.
No.
Process Parameters
Description
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Process selected
Reaction temperature
Sample oil used
Methanol used
Catalyst used(KOH)
Reaction time
Settling time
Water wash
Stirring speed
Alkali catalyzed transesterification
55-600C
1000ml waste cooking oil
120ml/kg of oil
0.5-1% per kg of oil
1.5-2 hours
8-12 hours
3-4 times
500-600 rpm
11

13. BIODIESEL PREPARATION & GLYCEROL SEPARATION
Initial heating of oil in Acid Treatment
Stirring action in Acid Treatment
12

14. Settlement of glycerin after Acid Treatment
Settlement of glycerin after Base Treatment
13

15. Soap obtained in water
washing process
Clear water in water
washing
14

16. Final biodiesel (M.O.M.E)
15

17. CHARACTERIZATION OF FUEL PROPERTIES
Properties of Diesel & Biodiesel (MOME)
Fuel property
Unit
Kinematic viscosity at 40◦C
cSt.
Density at 25◦C
Kg/m³
Flash point
◦C
Fire point
◦C
Pour point
Calorific value
◦C
KJ/kg-K
Diesel
Bio-Diesel
2.56
5.11
860
881.2
66
160
78
186
−18
4
42850
42293
16

18. ADDITIVE
 Additives are chemicals that can be added to fuels and are used to enhance
certain performance characteristics. Some are designed to help eliminate
carbon build-up inside the engine. There are also additives that are used to
improve the lubricant properties of new low sulphur diesel fuels.
PROPERTIES OF ADDITIVES:
Improves ignition quality.
 Improves low-temperature starting.
 Reduces cranking time.
 Reduces emissions and smoke.
 Increases efficiency.
17

19. DIFFERENT TYPES OF ADDITIVES
 Dimethyl Carbonate, C3H6O3
 Diethyl Carbonate, OC(OCH2CH3)2
 Tetrafloroethane, CH2FCF3
 Dimethyl ether, C2H6O
 Diethyl Ether, (C2H5)2O
18

20. PROPERTIES OF DIMETHYL CARBONATE
DIMETHYL CARBONATE:
Dimethyl Carbonate is a colorless, transparent liquid under normal temperature.
IUPAC name
Dimethyl carbonate
PROPERTIES:
Molecular formula
C3H6O3
Molar mass
90.08 g/mol
Appearance
Clear liquid
Density
1.069 - 1.073 g/ml, liquid
Melting point
2 - 4 °C (275 - 277 K)
19

21. PREPARATION OF BIODIESEL BLENDS
 B-85
(85% Biodiesel + 15% Additive)
 B-90
(90% Biodiesel + 10% Additive)
 B-95
(95% Biodiesel + 5% Additive)
 B100
(100% Biodiesel)
20

22. PHOTOGRAPH OF THE TEST ENGINE
21

23. TEST ENGINE SPECIFICATION
Sl.No
(1)
Particulars
Engine type
Description
Single cylinder, 4-stroke. vertical water
cooled diesel engine
(2)
Bore diameter
80 mm
(3)
Stroke length
110 mm
(4)
Compression
16.5:1
ratio
(5)
Rated power
3.67 KW
(6)
Rated speed
1500 rpm
(7)
Dynamometer
Eddy Current type
22

24. PHOTOGRAPH OF AVL SMOKE METER
23

25. RESULTS & DISCUSSSION
Engine Performance Analysis
1. Brake power
4
Brake Power (kW)
3.5
3
2.5
Diesel
2
B100
B95
1.5
B90
1
B85
0.5
0
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Load (%)
24

26. 2. Brake Thermal Efficiency
35
Brake thermal efficiency (%)
30
25
Diesel
20
B100
B95
15
B90
B85
10
5
0
0
20
40
60
Load (%)
80
100
25

27. 3. Mechanical Efficiency
35
Mechanical efficiency(%)
30
25
20
Diesel
B100
15
B95
B90
10
B85
5
0
0
20
40
60
80
100
Load (%)
26

28. 4. Brake Specific Energy Consumption
0.9
0.8
bsfc (kg/kWh)
0.7
0.6
Diesel
0.5
B100
0.4
B95
0.3
B90
B85
0.2
0.1
0
0
20
40
60
Load(%)
80
100
27

29. 5. Exhaust Gas Temperature
Exhaust gas temperature (ᵒC)
600
500
400
Diesel
B100
300
B95
B90
200
B85
100
0
0
20
40
60
Load (%)
80
100
28

30. Engine Emission Analysis
6. CO Emission
1
0.9
0.8
CO (%)
0.7
Diesel
0.6
B100
0.5
B95
0.4
B90
0.3
B85
0.2
0.1
0
0
20
40 Load (%)
60
80
100
29

31. 7. HC Emission
60
50
HC (ppm)
40
Diesel
B100
30
B95
B90
20
B85
10
0
0
20
40
60
Load (%)
80
100
30

32. 8. Smoke Emission
18
16
Smoke Opacity (%)
14
Diesel
12
B100
10
B95
8
B90
6
B85
4
2
0
0
20
40
60
Load (%)
80
100
31

33. 9. NOX Emission
1200
1000
NOx (ppm)
800
Diesel
B100
600
B95
400
B90
B85
200
0
0
20
40
60
Load (%)
80
100
32

34. CONCLUSIONS
 The brake power, brake thermal efficiency and mechanical





efficiency increases with increase in additive percentage in biodiesel
and it is lower in case of pure biodiesel.
Brake specific fuel consumption is highest for pure biodiesel and
decreases with increase in additive percentage in biodiesel.
Exhaust gas temperature is found highest for pure biodiesel and
tends to decrease with increase in additive percentage in biodiesel.
CO and HC emission are found highest for diesel and decrease with
increase in additive percentage in biodiesel.
Smoke and NOx emissions are found highest for pure biodiesel and
decrease with increase in additive percentage in biodiesel.
Hence it may be concluded that with increase in additive percentage
in Mahua biodiesel engine performance gets better with lower
emissions.
33

35. FUTURE SCOPE
 Biodiesel being more viscous than diesel may require frequent
cleaning of engine components. Use of preheated biodiesel blends
in engines may be studied.
 Biodiesel if used for longer time in engines causes corrosive effects.
Studies on engine wear and corrosion due to the use of biodiesel
must be carried out.
 Biodiesel combustion causes higher combustion and exhaust
temperatures. Studies must be carried out for suitable engine
modifications resulting in low temperature biodiesel combustion.
 Higher NOx emission due to biodiesel combustion is a great matter
of environmental concern. Investigation must be undertaken for
reduction of the same using newer methods like exhaust gas
recirculation.
34

36. REFERENCES










Van Gerpen, J. (2005) Biodiesel processing and production, Fuel Processing
Technology, 86, pp. 1097–1107.
Barnwal, B.K. and Sharma, M.P. (2005) Prospects of biodiesel production from
vegetables oils in India, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 9, pp. 363–378.
Ramadhas, A.S., Jayaraj, S. and Muraleedharan, C. (2004) Use of vegetable oils as I.C.
engine fuels—a review, Renewable Energy, 29, pp. 727–742.
MaF and Hanna, M.A. (1999) Biodiesel production: a review, Bio resource
Technology, 70, pp. 1–15.
Forson, F.K., Oduro, E.K. and Donkoh, E.H. (2004) Performance of Jatropha oil in a
diesel engine, Renewable Energy, 29, pp. 1135-1145.
Canakci, M., Erdil, A. and Arcaklioglu, E. (2006) Performance and exhaust emissions of
a biodiesel engine. Applied Energy, 83, pp. 594–605.
Meher, L.C., VidyaSagar, D. and Naik, S.N. (2006) Technical aspects of biodiesel
production by transesterification—a review, Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Reviews, 10, pp. 248–268.
Kandpal, J.B. and Madan, M. (1995) Jatropha curcas—a renewable source of energy
for meeting future energy needs, Renewable Energy, 6, pp. 159–160.
Pramanik, K. (2003). Properties and use of Jatropha curcas oil and diesel fuel blends in
compression ignition engine, Renewable Energy, 29, pp. 239-248.
Ramdhas, A.S., Jayaraj, S. and Muraleedharan, C. ( 2005) Characterization and effect
of using rubber seed oil as fuel in the compression ignition engines, Renewable
Energy, 30, pp. 795-803.
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37. THANK YOU
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