Performance and Evaluation of DI Diesel Engine by using Preheated Cottonseed Oil Methyl Ester

In this investigation, the Cotton Seed Oil Methyl Ester (CSOME) was prepared by transesterificationusing cotton seed oil, methyl alcohol and potassium hydroxide (KOH) as a catalyst. At different preheatedtemperatures, the performance and exhaust emissions of a diesel engine fuelled with preheated CSOMEwere obtained and compared with neat diesel. Experiments were conducted at different load conditions ina single cylinder four stroke DI diesel engine. CSOME was preheated to temperatures namely 40, 60, 80,100oC before it was fuelled to the engine. From the test the brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake specificfuel consumption (BSFC), smoke density, CO, HC, NOx emissions were evaluated. The results provedthat the preheated CSOME leads favourable on BTE and CO, HC emissions when it is heated up to 80oC. At the same time the NOx emission was increased. But at preheated temperature of 100°C, a considerabledecrease in the BTE and BSFC were observed due to the vapour locking in the fuel line caused by vapourformation due to higher temperature of CSOME. On the whole the results shows that CSOME preheatedup to 800C can be used as an alternate fuel for diesel fuel without any significant modification in expenseof increased NOx emissions.