Effect of alcohols addition on the performance and emission characteristics of an animal fat emulsion fuelled diesel engine
Résumé
in this work, the effect of alcohol addition on the performance and emissions of a diesel engine fuelled with animal fat emulsions is studied. A single cylinder air-cooled, direct injection diesel engine is used. Tests are conducted using animal fat emulsions with water and alcohols. Methanol and ethanol are used to improve the physical properties of emulsions. Results show significant improvement in performance and emissions with animal fat emulsions as compared to neat animal fat. Smoke levels are drastically reduced with both the emulsions. Ethanol animal fat emulsion shows more reduction in smoke levels than methanol emulsion. No significant difference in NO emission is noted between the two emulsions. However, the values are very low as compared to neat fat and neat diesel. Hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions are found as higher with ethanol emulsions as compared to methanol. However, these emissions are still lower than neat fat and neat diesel. On the whole it is concluded that animal fat emulsions with methanol and ethanol can be used as fuel in a compression ignition engine with improved performance as compared to neat animal fat.