Performance, combustion and emission study on CI engine using microalgae oil and microalgae oil methyl esters

The microalgae oil obtained from chlorella protothecoides was converted to microalgae oil methyl ester using transesterification process. The physical and chemical properties of microalgae oil and microalgae oil methyl ester were tested and it was observed that chlorella protothecoides oil and microalgae oil methyl ester can meet the ASTM standards for the characteristics tested. In this research work performance, combustion and emission parameters were analyzed on a Kirloskar single cylinder direct injection compression ignition water cooled diesel engine having capacity 5.2 kW fueled with diesel, microalgae oil and microalgae oil methyl ester. The engine showed the reduction in emission of CO, UBHC, NOx and smoke opacity as compared to those of diesel when fueled with microalgae oil and microalgae oil methyl ester. A general trend of decrease in the brake thermal efficiency with the use of microalgae oil and microalgae oil methyl ester was observed.