STUDENT PROJECT

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS AND EMISSION ANALYSIS OF A SINGLE

CYLINDER DIESEL ENGINE OPERATED ON BLENDS OF DIESEL AND WASTE
COOKING OIL WITH DIFFERENT MODIFIED PISTONS

THE BUSINESS

 The product:

The concept that 100% vegetable oil cannot be used safely in a direct injection
Diesel engine for long periods of time. Long-term endurance tests may show serious
problems in injector coking, ring sticking, gum formation, and thickening of lubricating
oil. These problems are related to the high viscosity and non volatility of vegetable oils,
which cause inadequate fuel atomization and incomplete combustion. Fuel blending is
one method of reducing viscosity. This paper presents the results of an engine test on
three fuel blends of waste cooking oil. The performance characteristics and emission
analysis of a single cylinder four stroke direct injection diesel engine. When fueled with
waste cooking oil and its 10%, 20% and 30% blends with diesel (on a mass basis) are
investigated and compared with standard diesel. The suitability of waste cooking oil
been established in this study. Experiment has been conducted at a fixed engine speed
of 1800 rpm, and then it was gradually loaded. The experiments were conducted at five
loads, namely 0 kg (no load), 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg and 20 kg. For each load condition the
engine was run for at least 5 min and at compression ratios of 17.5:1 and Injector
Pressure is 210 Bar.

The technology behind the product/service:

PHASE: I
 SEED CLEANING

DECORTICATION

SIZE REDUCTION

CONDITIONING/DRYING

OIL EXTRACTION

BIODIESEL
PREPARATION

PHASE II
  Possible innovation at a later stage

The experimental setup consists of diesel engine, gas analyzer, brake drum, and Plenum
chamber. The engine used in the investigation is a constant speed Kirloskar engine, four stroke
single cylinder, direct injection, vertical diesel engine. The specification of which are given
below.

The engine is mounted on concrete bed with suitable connection for water-cooling and
lubrication. The outlet temperature of water from engine is maintained at 50°C by adjusting the
flow of the coolant. A photography view is shown in fig and the schematic arrangement of
experimental test setup is shown in fig.

 Scalability

 Bio-diesel contains fewer aromatic hydrocarbons: benzofluoranthene: 56%

reduction; Benzopyrenes: 71% reduction.
 Bio-diesel is biodegradable and non-toxic - the U.S. Department of Energy
confirms that bio-diesel is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as quickly as
sugar. (See Bio-diesel handling and use guidelines)
 The flash point of bio-diesel (>150 °C) is significantly higher than that of
petroleum diesel (64 °C) or gasoline (−45 °C).
 Bio-diesel has higher Cetane rating than petrodiesel, which can improve
performance and clean up emissions compared to crude petrodiesel (with Cetane
lower than 40).

THE TEAM

 Brief description of each member of the team stating qualification and other details

Name and designation of Qualification Major areas of research Designation

the faculty
Mr. R. Sabarish B.E., ME., Alternative Fuels, Assistant Professor,
(PhD), Automobile Department of
Mechanical
Engineering,
 Bharath Institute of
Higher Education
and Research
Mr.S.Abisanth B.Tech Research and Development Engineer,
JBM Auto
components Private
Limited
Mr.K.Mukesh Final Year - Final year B.TECH
Student Mechanical
Engineering,
Bharath Institute of
Higher Education
and Research

 Name and qualification of mentor: Mr. R.Sabarish, B.E., ME., (PhD),

 Whether any preliminary discussion has been done with the mentor : YES

Research outcomes till – in the proposed Area

Bio-Diesel Production:

Transesterification:

The process of making bio-diesel from vegetable oil is called transesterification. This
involves making the vegetable oil to react with methyl alcohol in the presence of catalyst to
produce bio-diesel.

In this process vegetable oil, methyl alcohol and catalyst are taken in a tank. The mixture
was heated and stirred for 1hr time. Then it is allowed to cool without stirring. Two layers are
formed. The bottom layer consists of glycerol and top layer is of ester.

Ester is separated from the glycerol. The esters are the basis for bio-diesel fuel. During
the transesterification process, the glycerin component of vegetable oil is replaces with an
alcohol. The bio-diesel thus obtained is tested for its properties.

Transesterification is the process of exchanging the alkoxy group of an ester compound

by another alcohol. These reactions are often catalyzed by the addition of an acid or base.
Bio-Diesel Plant:

Bio-diesel plant

Plant Setup:

The experimental setup of Biodiesel plant is shown in fig. The plant consists of
cylindrical flask, which is put inside the heat jacket. Oil is used as a medium of heat transfer
from heat jacket to the rector. Thermocouple is a part of heat jacket, which maintains the
temperature of oil and in turn the temperature of the reactants at a desired value. The reaction is
carried out at around 65-70°C. Cylindrical consists of three openings; the center one is used for
putting stirrer in the rector, the motor propels the stirrer. Thermometer is put inside the second
opening to continuously monitor the temperature of the reaction. Condenser is put in the third
opening to reflux the alcohol vapours back to the rector to prevent any reactant loss.

Transesterification Procedure:

 Two litres of Cottonseed oil is mixed along with 400ml of methanol and 7gms of catalyst
(potassium hydroxide).
 The mixture is poured into the cylindrical flask of the plant.
 Then the mixture is heated and stirred for one hour at the range of 60 - 65°C.
 Thermocouple will maintain the temperature of mixture throughout the process.
 The mixture is drained out from the plant and allows cooling.
 Separation of glycerol and Biodiesel is processed out.

20% of methanol + Cottonseed oil → Biodiesel + glycerol

 120%

100%

80%

60% PRESENT
40% Expected

20%

0%
RESEARCH Facilities Societal Revenue
Publications Contribution from Center

Expected Academic/Institutional Outcomes

 Whether any of the team members participated in program related to entrepreneurship:

YES

THE SUPPORT SYSTEM

 Is the host institution capable of supporting the student: YES

 Does the host institution have necessary equipment/hardware for product development
and subsequent testing

EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE

S. No Particulars Amount (in Rupees) Year of

STATUS
Purchase
1 Engine set up with dynamometer 1,05,000 2012 Working

2 Data Acquisition system 5,20,000 2012 Working

3 Emission analyzer 6,00,000 2012 Working

4 Smoke meter 2,25,000 2012 Working

THE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT (may not be restricted to DST support)

S. No Items Cost
1 Consumables (diesel & biodiesel) Rs.30,000
2 Piston (5 Nos) with modification Rs.40,000
3 Contingency (To purchase related books, journals and magazines) Rs.20,000
4 Others Rs. 10,000
5 Transportation Rs. 20,000
6 Total Rs.1,20,000