Performance Evaluation of Diesel Engine Using Biodiesel from Pongamia Oil

Abstract

In view of the fast depletion of fossil fuel, the search for alternative fuels has become inevitable, looking at huge demand of diesel for transportation sector, captive power generation and agricultural sector, the biodiesel is being viewed a substitute of diesel. The aim of the present work is to focus on the work done in the area of production of biodiesel from Pongamia and the characterization of properties of various blends of Pongamia biodiesel. The main problem with biodiesel is its higher viscosity than diesel. The higher content of viscosity leads to formation of gums in the biodiesel which will affect its performance. The work also includes the impact analysis of Pongamia oil and its biodiesel on engine performance and exhaust emission. The results obtained are also compared with the Jatropha curcas biodiesel and Waste cooking biodiesel. The research has indicated that up to B₂₀, there is no need of any modification. From the test result it is found that the use of biodiesel leads to the substantial reduction in particulate emission, CO emissions accompanying with the imperceptible power loss, the increase in fuel consumption and the increase in NO_x emission on conventional diesel engine with no or fewer modification. So from the result it can be observed that biodiesel will replace diesel as a source of fuel in near future.