Adama Science and Technology University

Research & Publications Office (RPO)

 1888, Adama E-mail: rpo@astu.edu.et

RESEARCH FUND APPLICATION FORM

To be completed by the principal researcher

I. TITLE OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT: V. DURATION OF THE PROJECT

EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON CI ENGINE 1 Year 6 Months

OF WATER PUMP SET USING A BLEND OF NON-
EDIBLE VEGETABLE OIL AND ADDITIVE AS A
STRAIGHT FUEL COMMENCEMENT TERMINATION
DATE DATE
II. NAME OF THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR July, 2017 December, 2018
VI. PRPOSED FUND IN BIRR:
Mr SAMUEL G/MARIAM
243,220 Birr
Email: samuelg.mariam@gmil.com

Tel: +251911135534
VII. PURPOSES OF APPLICATION:

III. PRESENT POSITION: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

IV. SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT: Mechanical, Chemical and NEW RESEARCH:

Materials Engineering
Adama Science and Technology University, APPLICATION OF RESEARCH
ADAMA, ETHIOPIA RESULTS

FOR OFFICE USE

Department
PROJECT CODE NO:
Date Received: Signature:

Remark:
School: RPO:
Date Received: Date Received:

Signature: Signature:

Remark: Remark:

RPO Research Fund Application Form (April 2012) 1/12

1. Title of the Project1: EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON CI ENGINE OF WATER
PUMP SET USING A BLEND OF NON-EDIBLE VEGETABLE OIL AND ADDITIVE AS A
STRAIGHT FUEL.

2. Short Summary of the Project:2 Gradual depletion of world petroleum reserves, and
impact of environmental pollution have motivated the scientific community all over the world to
look for suitable alternative fuels. Particularly diesel engines are the main prime movers for
public and logistic transportation vehicles, stationary power generation units and agricultural
applications in large proportions. Ethiopia imports 100% of its total crude oil requirement. This
results in renewed focus on vegetable/plant oils. Straight vegetable oil (SVO) is an alternative
fuel for petroleum diesel. It can be used as a fuel without engine modification and it also reduces
the environmental impact. Several researchers have made systematic efforts to use plant oils and
their esters as fuel in diesel engines [1]. The use of non-edible vegetable oils as compared to
edible oils is very significant in developing countries because of the tremendous demand for
edible oils as food and hence they are far too expensive to be used as fuel at present. The usage
SVO as fuel requires continuous heating for which engine requires inline heaters. The heating of
SVO is up to a temperature of about 160 with inline heaters is difficult to achieve. The
difficulty in using SVO as fuel will be sticky in nature and it deposits at piston head. valve
seating and at the cylinder head which needs to be cleaned periodically.
Hence, in the present proposal an experimental investigation will be carried out to
develop a suitable blend of non-edible oil and additive as straight fuel. Locally available non
edible plant seeds like Castor, Jathropha and Cotton seeds will be collected and oil will be
extracted from these seeds. The above said oils will be mixed with small quantity of Petrol and
Kerosene as additives in steps of 3% or 5% and can be used as fuel for CI engine [2]. After
preparation of few samples some important properties such as viscosity, flash and fire point will
be determined using Saybolt viscometer and Cleave land open cup flash and fire point apparatus
respectively. The best fuel sample will be identified based on the kinematic viscosity (near to
petroleum diesel). Two identical diesel engines with same specification will be tested for 10
hours duration. One engine fueled with petroleum diesel where as other one is fueled with the
best identified sample fuel. After the test both engine components such as piston, cylinder head,
and valve and valve seatings will be observed and compared in terms of soot and other
deposition. Finally, the engine which is fueled with best sample is fitted with rope brake drum
dynamometer and performance test (Brake thermal efficiency and Specific fuel consumption)
will be carried out.
RPO Research Fund Application Form (April 2012) 2/12
The title of the project should be short and simple and clearly describe the basic objectives of the proposed project.
2Maximum 400 words and sufficiently informative to the reader. It should contain problem statement of the project, objectives
and a brief description of how these will be accomplished with expected results.

3. Research Work to date:

1. Investigated performance, emission and combustion characteristics on CI engine fuelled with
biodiesel and its blends under different operating conditions

2. Conducted experimental investigation on emission and combustion characteristics on LHR

engine fuelled with biodiesel and its blends at different load conditions.

3. Experimental investigation carried for performance, emission and combustion characteristics

on LHR engine with exhaust gas recirculation fuelled with biodiesel and its blends under
different operating condition.

4. Conducted performance and emission tests on gasoline engine fuelled with hydrogen and
compressed natural gas (HCNG)

RPO Research Fund Application Form (April 2012) 3/12

 4. Proposed Research Project

4.1. Background and Justification:4

The earlier work (Vellguth, 1983; Murayama et al., 1984) reported that high viscosity and low
volatility of pure vegetable oil reduces fuel atomization and increases fuel spray Penetration.
Higher spray penetration and polymerization of unsaturated fatty acids at higher temperatures
are partly responsible for the difficulties experienced with engine deposits and thickening of the
lubricating oil.
In the project carried by D. Ljubas and others (2) reports that they studied the influence
of dilution of synthetic and mineral engine oils with two commercial fuels – gasoline (type
Eurosuper 95) and diesel fuel (type eurodiesel). The situation that could really occur in the
automotive engine was simulated – a breakthrough of unburned fuel to engine oil and its mixing
and dissolution was found. They choose viscosity, fire point and flash point as the most
important parameters to study in oil-fuel mixtures. They found that viscosities and flash and fire
points of oils decrease with amounts of added gasoline and diesel fuel. Higher viscosity
decrease is observed when oil is diluted with gasoline than with equal amount of diesel fuel.
Younus Pasha and others (3) carried out performance test on single cylinder diesel
engine fuelled with Pongamia and Neem oil mixed with additives at 60% load condition. The
___________________
non edible vegetable (Pongamia and Neem) oils were added with small percentages of gasoline
and kerosene property tests carried out. They found that the properties were matching with the
petroleum diesel. Hence, they used this mixture as fuel (without heating) in single cylinder
diesel engine without any modification. The power output is in line with petroleum diesel with
slightly more specific fuel consumption.
Yamane etal. 2001(4) reported that properties of vegetable strongly affect injection
pressure, injection rate and spray characteristics.
Ryan et al., 1984 (5) They investigated properties of different vegetable oils and reported
that the properties such as flash point, fire point and heating value are different for different oils.
The oil when mixed with additives its properties will vary with the base oil. An increase in fuel
viscosity will generally result in an increase in the penetration rate and a corresponding decrease
in the cone angle
3 List all your. major publications, especially those related to your proposed research project and participation in workshops,
seminars, conferences, etc.

RPO Research Fund Application Form (April 2012) 4/12

4Describe basic assumptions/concerns that led you to carry out this research and the gaps that the proposed research is intended
o fill Also, include in

The fuel injection timing was mainly influenced by the fuel properties, such as its density and
bulk modulus. As unsaturated composition in Bio-diesel increases, the density and bulk modulus
also increases which in turn advance the injection timing (Tat and Van Gerpen, 2003). Several
engine test results (Rantanen et al., 1993; Canakci and Van Gerpen, 2003) showed that biodiesel
exhibits higher NOx and lower thermal efficiency due to lower heating value compared to diesel
fuel. But Biodiesel containing higher methyl oleic ester produced significantly lower NOx
(Yamane et al., 2001). Blends of Jatropha oil and diesel, produces higher thermal efficiency
without affecting NOx emissions much (Kalligeros et al., 2003).

From the literature survey it was observed that vegetable oils can be used as fuel. It has been
proven in repeated studies that the viscosity of straight vegetable oils can be brought to very
nearly that of diesel by heating them to a sufficient temperature (around 160 °C). This has lead to
the development of inline-heaters in diesel engines. All currently available inline-heaters
however, can only heat the oil up to about 80 °C which is ineffectual in bringing the viscosity of
pure oil to the required range. If at all the heater capacity increased most of energy developed
would be consumed for heating oil. Many researchers used heated and processed additives based
vegetable oil as fuel for diesel engine. But none used vegetable oil as fuel without heating or
processing.
Hence, the present work is focused to use non edible oil as fuel without being heating and
processing. In this proposal would like to find the viscosity, fire and flash point temperatures for
the three most popular non-edible oils such as Jatropha, oil, Castor oil and crude Cotton seed oil
mixed with Kerosene or Petrol in steps of 3% as additives. Further by studying the properties of
these mixtures the best mixture will be used as fuel in diesel engine. The engine will be made to
run for about 10 hours with diesel and as well as with chosen mixture (non-edible oil with
additives). The deposition on the piston head, valve seating and cylinder head will be observed
and compared the same with diesel fuelled engine parts. Further performance test will be
conducted with chosen mixture as fuel to determine brake thermal efficiency and fuel
consumption rate.
.

RPO Research Fund Application Form (April 2012) 5/12

formation on the likely contribution to knowledge or practice that the research will make.

4.2. General Objectives: 5

General objective of this research proposal is to develop easily producible alternative fuel for
irrigation diesel engine pump set at rural places. The alternative fuel can be used directly in a
diesel engine without further processing or heating. The fuel can be effectively used by the
farmers to operate irrigation pump-sets with minimum cost.
Specific Objective
 To prepare the samples of fuel mixture (non-edible vegetable oil and kerosene or gasoline)
insteps of 3% and 5%.
 Identify the best sample of mixture.
 To determine the viscosity, flash and fire point of the samples.
 To test the best sample by fueling in to the diesel engine.
 To compare the components of engine for deposition.
 To determine brake thermal efficiency and fuel consumption rate of best identified sample.
4.3. Methodology: 6

 First non-edible plant Jathropha, Castor and Cotton seeds available places will be identified
then the seeds of required quantity will be procured. After procuring these seeds the method
of extraction of oil will be studied. Then the oil will be extracted.
 We need to measure the oil yield per kg of seeds for all three above mentioned seeds. Once
oil is extracted then we need to procure gasoline and kerosene of required quantity from gas
stations.
 Next 5 samples will be prepared by mixing cotton seed oil with in steps of 3% gasoline.
Again another 5 samples will be prepared by mixing cotton seed oil in steps of 3% with
kerosene as additive. The same thing is repeated for Jathropha and castor oils.
 Then determine flash point, fire point and viscosity for each of the samples and identify the
suitable mixture based on the viscosity which is close to HSS diesel viscosity.
 Procure two identical single cylinder diesel engines and run these two engines with one
fuelled with diesel and other one fuelled with identified sample fuel for 10 hours duration.
After that dismantle major components of both engine observe for soot and other deposition
on both engines and draw conclusion based on comparison for diesel fuel and selected
sample fuel. Finally conduct performance test using chosen sample as fuel determine brake
thermal efficiency and fuel consumption rate.

RPO Research Fund Application Form (April 2012) 6/12

_________________
5State the specific (short-term) objectives of the project and how they relate to the general (long-term) objectives and the
questions that the project will attempt to answer.
6 It
should describe the methods to be used with sampling methods, research design, experimental procedures, data collection
and analysis.

5. Significance & Beneficiaries:7

The depletion of world petroleum reserves results in rising of fuel prices and global warming
problems. The energy security can be maintained by using renewable alternative fuel.

Bio-diesel can be used as vehicular fuel. But its preparation methodology and its production is
little expensive and tedious in rural areas. Majority of people in Ethiopia depends on farming
which requires irrigation. The electrical power supply to many rural places are interrupted most
of the time.

Development of locally available inexpensive fuel from non edible oil would serve the fuel for
diesel engine pump sets used for irrigation purpose in rural areas.
The major beneficiaries from this research would be to Ethiopian farmers. They can irrigate their
farming lands without depending on electrical supply and petroleum diesel. They can reproduce
this fuel using locally available non edible plant seeds and adding some petroleum additive in
minor proportions and can be used as fuel in irrigation pump-sets for watering their lands.

6. Expected Output:8

 Improvement in alternative fuel for diesel engine.

 Controlled emissions to meet international standard
 Inexpensive fuel from non edible oil.
 Product may be patented

______________________
7 List the significance of the project and the beneficiaries.
8 Indicate expected outputs from the project

RPO Research Fund Application Form (April 2012) 7/12

7. Time Schedule or Research work plan:9

2017 2018 2019

April

April
Sept
May

May
Mar

Mar
Nov

Nov
Aug
July
Dec

Dec
Feb

Feb
Oct

Oct
Jun
Jan

Jan
Sl
No Tasks

1 Literature survey
2 Oil extraction
Instrumentation
3 procurement
Experimental
4 Work
Analysis of
5 results
6 Report writing

RPO Research Fund Application Form (April 2012) 8/12

8. References:10

1. Vellguth, G. (1983) ‘Performance of vegetable oils and their monsters as fuels for diesel
engines’, SAE Paper No. 831358.

2. D. Ljudas, H. Krapa, I. Matanovic, 2010. ‘Influence of engine oils dilution by fuels on

their viscosity, flash point and fire point’. NAFTA, 73-79.
3. Younus Pasha ‘Experimental investigation of a mixture of a non-edible plant oil and an
additive as a straight fuel in c i engine of an irrigation pump set’
4. Yamane, K., Ueta, A. and Shimamoto, Y. (2001) ‘Influence of physical and chemical
properties of biodiesel fuel on injection combustion and exhaust emission characteristics
in a direct injection compression ignition engine’, Int. J. Engine Research, IMechE, Vol.
2, No. 4,
5. Ryan, T.W. III, Dodge, L.G. and Callahan, T.J. (1984) ‘The effects of vegetable oil
properties on injection and combustion in two different diesel engines’, JAOCS, Vol. 61,
pp.1610–1619
6. Spataru, A. and Romig, C. (1995) ‘Emissions and engine performance from blends of
soya and canola methyl esters with ARB#2 diesel in a DCC 6V92TA MUI engine’, SAE
Paper No. 952388.
7. Ziejewski, M. and Kaufman, K.R. (1983) ‘Laboratory endurance test of a sunflower oil
blend in a diesel engine’, JAOCS, Vol. 60, No. 8, pp.1567–1573.
8. Staat, F. and Gateau, P. (1995) ‘The effects of rapeseed oil methyl ester on diesel engine
_________________
performance exhaust emissions and long-term behaviour – a summary of three years of
experimentation’, SAE Paper No. 950053.
9. Connemann, J. and Fischer, J. (2001) ‘Biodiesel Europe+, Contribution against climate
change?’ in Proceedings of 3rd International Colloquium on Fuels, pp.265–279.
10. Kropp, A. (2001) ‘Biodiesel – perspectives for Germany’, in Proceedings of 3rd
International Colloquium on Fuels, pp.259–264.
11. Hansen, K.F. and Jensen, M.G. (1997) ‘Chemical and biological characteristics of exhaust
emissions from a DI diesel engine fuelled with rapeseed oil methyl ester (RME)’, SAE
Technical Paper Series 971689.

RPO Research Fund Application Form (April 2012) 9/12

 9. Financial (Budget) Requirements of the Proposed Research Project:
Equipment and Other Related Costs
No Items Unit. Quantity Unit cost Total Cost
[birr]
Purchased Item
1 Saybolt Viscometer; Piece 1 15,000.00 15,000.00
2 Cleave land open cup flash and fire point apparatus Piece 1 13,000.00 13,000.00
3 Electronic weighing Balance Piece 1 14,000.00 14,000.00
4 Glass flasks; 60 ml capacity Piece 10 500.00 5,000.00
5 Glass beakers; 200 ml capacity Piece 10 500.00 5,000.00
6 Brake drum: diameter 0.4 m Piece 1 10,000.00 10,000.00
7 Gasoline Liter 50 23.00 1,150.00
8 Kerosene Liter 40 18.00 720.00
9 Plastic cans : 10 ltr capacity Piece 2 600.00 1,200.00
10 Castor seeds Kg 50 100.00 5,000.00
11 Jatropha seeds Kg 50 100.00 5,000.00
12 Cotton seeds Kg 50 75.00 3,750.00
13 Fabrication of rope brake drum dynamometer Meter 20 250.00 5,000.00
with mild steel frame
14 Weights : from 1 Kg to 10 Kg steps of 1Kg: kg 10 400.00 4,000.00
15 Single cylinder diesel engine Piece 1 35,000.00 35,000.00
Manufacturing and other costs
16 Manufacturing of test facility and Labor Cost - 30,000.00
17 Testing fuel sample for calorific value; 5 samples; No of 5 4,000/ sample 20,000.00
Sample
18 Per diem for 5 researchers they will go to different areas - Per / day 206 30,900.00
for 30 days to do:
- Seed collection
- Oil extracting
- Testing fuel sample etc…
Transportation Cost
19 Material transportation cost from different places - 3,000.00
20 Transportation cost for 5 researchers 20,000.00
Oil extraction and Seed collection cost
21 Oil extraction cost Liter 120 100 12,000.00
22 Seed Collection cost kg 150 30 4,500.00

Total Cost 243,220.00

RPO Research Fund Application Form (April 2012) 10/12

 10. Any Other Funding 12 : -------NO------

11. Assurance of the researcher/s

The Undersigned researcher/s agrees to accept responsibility for
1. Scientific and the technical conduct of this research project,
2. The handover of fixed items purchased for the project during/after completing the project
to the respective dept./School,
3. Settling the budget used,
4. The provision of the required progress report, and
5. The presentation of the final report as required.

NAME OF THE INVESTIGATOR (S) SIGNATURE DATE

Mr SAMUEL G/MARIAM ____________________________ _____________________

Dr SURESH G _____________________________ ____________________

Mr .MEBRATU YEHSAK _____________________________ ____________________

Mr DERESSE FIREW _____________________________ ____________________

Er PRAKASH C. H ________________________ _________________

APPROVAL
HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT SIGNATURE DATE

________________________________ ___________________ _______________

SCHOOL ASSOC. DEAN SIGNATURE DATE

________________________________ ___________________ _______________

DEAN OF THE SCHOOL SIGNATURE DATE

__________________
12List any other funds that you/ your department/school have obtained or applied for in the area of the proposed research project
od.

RPO Research Fund Application Form (April 2012) 11/12

 Approval: For RPO Office Use

Amount of Approved Budget:

_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Period of Allocation: ___________________________

For Research Standing Committee:

NAME SIGNATURE DATE

________________________________ ___________________ _______________

Assoc. Dean, RPO

NAME SIGNATURE DATE

________________________________ ___________________ _______________

Dean, Research Affairs

NAME SIGNATURE DATE

________________________________ ___________________ _______________

VP for R & TT
NAME SIGNATURE DATE

________________________________ ___________________ _______________

RPO Research Fund Application Form (April 2012) 12/12