Performance and Exhaust Emissions of a Single Cylinder Diesel Engine Fueled with Diesel and Plastic Oil Blends

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the Performance characteristics and Exhuast emissions of a Conventional Engine (CE) fueled with various blends of Plastic Oil. Study Design: In CI Engines, combustion is the factor that is pivotal in evaluating the Performance parameters and simultaneously measuring the Exhaust emissions. In the quest to improve the performance, without major changes in the design of a Diesel Engine, extensive research has been carried out where alternative fuels like Plastic oil blends and various other Bio-diesels have replaced diesel. To enable the use of Plastic Oils, many researchers have attempted blending these fuels with oxygenated additives like Methyl Ester, Di-ethyl ether (DEE), Zinc-oxide etc. These additives reduce the viscosity and improve the rate of combustion, by reducing increasing the availability of oxygen in the fuel. The addition of these compounds is expected to reduce the Exhaust emissions without compromising the overall operation and performance of the engine. Methodology: The plastic oil blends used in this experiment are prepared by mixing different percentages of diesel, plastic oil, and di-ethyl ether, in defined proportions: by % volume. An Optimal Injection Timing (OIT) is determined by evaluating the peak value of brake thermal efficiency (BTE), when the Injection pressure is varied from 190 to 230 bar and the Injection timing from 270bTDC to 310bTDC. The values of performance and exhaust emissions, at different loads are evaluated at the determined OIT and are compared with those of the engine fueled with diesel operating at 190 bar and 270bTDC. Results: Of all the plastic oil blends prepared, the peak performance values and lowest emissions were obtained for the PBO30 blend. The values of BTE, BSFC, EGT, Coolant load and Volumetric efficiency of PBO30 increased by 11.1%, 12.8%, 10.4%,13% and 7.5% respectively in comparison with PBO50 blend. Similarly, the exhaust emissions: Particulate emissions, CO, NOX and UBHC of PBO30 blend decreased drastically and were lower by 23.6%, 46.5%, 30% and 32% when compared with the values of the PBO50 blend. Conclusion: Using the oxygenated additive: di-ethyl ether facilitated the use of plastic oil as an alternative to diesel in CI engines without any design modifications. While the performance characteristics of the blends specifically PBO30 improved considerably and the exhaust emissions also reduced.