Optimization of performance and emission characteristics of CI engine fueled with Jatropha biodiesel produced using a heterogeneous catalyst (CaO)

Abstract

This study includes the use of heterogeneous catalyst (CaO) for the production of Jatropha biodiesel through transesterification reaction. The heterogeneous transesterification delivered a yield of 81.6% at 5 wt% catalyst concentration and 12:1 methanol to oil molar ratio. Based on the RSM, systematically experiments have been conducted as proposed by CCFCD. The engine load, CR and FIP have been selected as input parameters for the optimization of BP, BTHE, HC, and NOx emission of engine fueled with B20 blend. RSM model was evaluated and found to be adequate as the regression coefficient R2, Adj. R2 and Pred. R2 were found to be satisfactory. The model retrieved a range of optimum solutions focused on desirability approach and proposed optimal input parameters as 8.05 Kgf load, 18 CR and 180 bar FIP. The optimum performance and emission characteristics (BP, BTHE, HC and NOx) are found to be 2.258 KW, 29.05%, 6.31 ppm, and 159.5 ppm respectively. The performance of B20 fueled engine was almost comparable to that of diesel fuel. In present investigation has witnessed a significant decrease in HC emissions (14.29 percent) compared to diesel, and a slight increase in NOx emissions (1.98 percent) is also observed. The predicted and actual findings of the engine output parameters are assessed at optimal engine configurations and validation test error for BP, BTHE, HC and NOx of optimized blend responses was found to be 2.67, 3.68, 3.1, and 3.6 respectively, within the acceptable range.