Experimental investigation of effects of addition of ethanol to bio-diesel on performance, combustion and emission characteristics in CI engine

The study presents the experimental evaluations of performance, combustion and emission characteristics of blends containing non-edible cotton seed oil methyl ester and anhydrous ethanol in a diesel engine at various loads. Blends are made from bio-diesel from cotton seed oil by transesterification and anhydrous ethanol (200 proof) in various proportions ranging from 10% to 50%. The results of the investigation are compared with diesel as base fuel. It is observed from the results that the brake thermal efficiency of the blends is similar to that of diesel. There is a decrease of emissions of oxides of nitrogen and smoke, there is a decrease of emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon at higher loads and increase at lower loads. Also there is increase of maximum heat release rate and maximum pressure for the blends at higher loads. However, there is a decrease of maximum heat release rate and maximum pressure at lower load. This study gives a direction of renewable fuel blends to replace diesel for fueling diesel engine thereby reducing the dependency of fossil fuels.