Abstract:
An investigation has been carried out to identify the most promising
alternative to diesel fuel from among the locally produced vegetable
oils. In this pursuit informations have been collected for a number of
locally produced vegetable oils regarding their current use,
production potentiality and processing technology. Relevant fuel
properties of four pure vegetable oils (Mustard, Groundnut, Linseed
and Sunflower) have been measured. High viscosity was identified as
one of the main constraints of using the considered vegetable oils in
diesel engines directly at the normal temperature. Hence, kerosine was
blended with the considered vegetable oils to reduce their viscosity
and match their combustion characteristics with that of diesel. Fuel
properties of the blended fuels were also determined and. the
implications of the observations have been analyzed. Test results show
that the fuel properties of blends of kerosine with 40%-50% of linseed
oil by volume are comparable to that of diesel fuel.
However, the engine performances were studied operating it with four
different blends of linseed oil with kerosine (30%, 40%, 50% and 60%
linseed oil with 70%, 60%, 50% and 40% kerosine respectively by
volume). Test results show that rated power and brake thermal
efficiency decrease, and bsfc increases when compared to diesel fuel
operation.
From overall assessment of. the pure vegetable oils considered and
their various blends it is concluded that based on the current use.,
suitable physical and combustion behavior; linseed oil blended with
kerosine may be considered as a suitable alternative fuel and can be
used successfully in a diesel engine.
