Performance and Emission Studies of a CI Engine Coupled with Gasifier Running in Dual Fuel Mode

Gasification is a thermo-chemical process for converting a solid fuel into a mixture of combustible gases that can be used for heat and power applications. In this study, a downdraft gasifier was designed and developed to use wood chips and mustard oil cakes in the ratio of 7:3 as a feed stock. An experimental investigation was also carriedout to evaluate the performance and emission parameters of a single cylinder, four stroke air cooled engine developing power of 4.4 kW at a rated speed of 1500 rpm running on a dual fuel mode. In this mode, the producer gas was introduced in the inlet manifold of engine at a flow rate of 4lpm, 6lpm and 8lpm respectively while dies el was injected into the engine as main fuel. The results obtained from the dual fuel mode were compared with standard Diesel operation. Results indicated that a reduction in the consumption of Diesel was observed when operated on dual fuel mode though there was a reduction in brake thermal efficiency. Nitrous oxide emission was found to be very low in dual fuel which is a great advantage of dual fuel mode over Diesel alone but, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emission for dual fuel mode was found to be higher than diesel.