Performance of si ngle-cylinder compression ignition engine with indigenous castor oil bio diesel

Abstract

Neat castor oil poses problems when used in CI engine. Problems are reduced to minimum bysubjecting the castor oil to transesterification. C astor oil was converted to bio diesel and blended by5%, 10%, 15% and 20% in quantity (by volume) with high- speed mineral diesel (HSD) fuel. This fuelwas used on a single- cylinder compression- ignition, four - stroke diesel engine. The blended fuel gavelower emissions of CO but resulted in higher values of CO2 and NOx. Results showed that enginebrake power, thermal efficiency for blended bio diesel fuel were lower than pure mineral diesel,because of lower calorific value of blended fuel. The maximum value of thermal efficiency wasobserved at 13% substitution of castor oil methyl ester [CME] in diesel. However, higher engineexhaust temperatures were obtained with blended fuel in comparison with that of pure mineral diesel.Chi square ( 2) statistical test was applied. The value for 2 (CME) 0.0524 was observed. The valueconcluded that there is no effect of fuel type on fuel consumption within the given range. Overallcastor oil bio diesel blends fared well in terms of engine performance.