PRODUCTION BIOGAS AND ITS POTENTIAL AS A PARTIAL SUPPLEMENT OF

FUEL IN A CONVENTIONAL SI ENGINE

Mohamed Musthafa.M*, Bhavadharani. B, Karthik.B, Padmavathi.KR
School of Mechanical Engineering, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur-613401, India
*Email: mohamedmustafa@mech.sastra.edu; mobile: 919865940036

ABSTRACT
Owing to reducing the scarcity of petroleum reserves, the engineer has to seem
alternative fuel sources for IC engines. Vegetable oils of non edible category can be used as
substitute fuel to diesel fuel and use of gaseous fuel as a partial supplement of petrol fuel.
Biogas technology offers a very attractive direction to utilize certain categories of biomass
for meeting partial energy needs. This study is to describe the production of biogas from the
cow dung in the fabricated floating drum type digester and was stored in the tube. Stored
biogas was used as supplement fuel to run the single cylinder 305 cc variable speed engine
under no load condition. The performance and emission characteristics of engine running on
biogas and petrol blend were compared to petrol fuel operation. Results revealed that
performance of the engine was improved with the increases in the amount of the gas
substitution. Brake specific fuel consumption was found to improve. However emissions
increased with the increases in gas substitution.
Keywords: cow dunk, floating drum digester, biogas, petrol.

1.INTRODUCTION
The regular use of fossil fuels and the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment
are motivating research into renewable energy production from organic resources and waste.
The global energy demand is high, and most of this energy is produced from fossil resources.
As the conventional energy is to be exhausted in near future, the development of renewable
energy is very important for the diversity of energy supply. Alternate to use fossil fuel is a
challenge for the need to improve security. The developing countries are agreeing on a new
hope for renewable energy supply without conventional energy and provide an opportunity
for sustainable development. Biogas production is of major importance for the sustainable
use of renewable energy source. Biogas production from agricultural biomass is of growing
importance as it offers considerable environmental benefits (Amon et al., 2007) and is an
additional source of income for farmers. Biogas is derived from the anaerobic fermentation of
organic matter such as manure, plants, food wastes, offal, etc., When that organic matter is
stored without the approach, a biological process starts, resulting in biogas. Biogas from
sewage digesters usually contains 55 % to 65 % methane, 35 % to 45 % carbon dioxide and
<1% nitrogen: Biogas from organic waste digesters usually contains 60% to 70 % methane,
30 % to 40 % carbon dioxide and <1% nitrogen while in landfills the methane content is
usually 45 % to 55 %, methane 30 % to 40 % carbon dioxide and 5 % to 15 % nitrogen.
Typically the biogas also contains hydrogen sulphide and other sulphur compounds,
compounds such as siloxanes and aromatic and halogenated compounds (Amon et al., 2007;
De aere, 2000; Rasi et al., 2007). Organic matters for biogas production are easily accessible
and reduce the use of firewood and preserve the forest. Polpraser (1996) (Polprasert, 1996)
calculated that the total combustion of 13 m of biogas is sufficient to:

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  two hour operation of engine with a 0.73 kW
 provide 1.25 kWh of electricity
 provide heat for cooking three meals a day for five persons
 provide 6 hours of light equivalent to one 60 W lamp
 an hour operation of cooler with a capacity of 1 m3
 half-hour operation of an incubator with a capacity of 1 m3
Heat value of biogas depends on the content of methane and averages 6 kWh/m3.
Ignition temperature of 700°C is another advantage of safety in the work with biogas. The
theoretical requirement of air for complete combustion of biogas is 5-7 m3 of air per 1 m 3of
biogas (Vindis et al., 2008). Table 1 shows the important properties of biogas
Table 1. Fuel properties (Sita Rama Raju, 2001)

Lower heating value at 1 atm and 150C 17(MJ/kg)

Density at 1 atm and 150C 1.2 kg/m3
Flame speed 25 cm/s
Stoichiometric A/F (kg of air/kg of fuel) 11 (6 Nm3 air/Nm3 gas)
Leaner 7.5
Richer 14
Octane number (Motor) 130
Auto ignition temperature 6500C
Recent evaluations indicate that biogas produced via anaerobic digestion (AD)
provides significant advantages over other forms of bio energy because the AD is an energy-
efficient and environmentally friendly technology. In comparison with fossil fuels, AD
technology can reduce GHG emissions by utilizing locally available sources. In addition, the
by product of this technology, called digestate, is a high-value fertilizer for crop cultivation
and can replace common mineral fertilizers. Energy production has remained an important
factor, even with dropping energy prices. The atmospheric greenhouse effect, sustainable
development, and the ozone layer depletion have all contributed to the value of anaerobic
digestion as a renewable energy source (Rotmans et al., 1992). Few experimental studies (Eze
et al., 2010; Awogbemi et al., 2013; Omid et al., 2011) were carried on biogas as a partial
substitution fuel in SI engine and their results make a promising brake power, brake thermal
efficiency, reduced fuel consumption and improved emissions. This study aims to produce
biogas from cow dung in a small scale and stored in a tube. Stored biogas can be used as
partial supplement fuel in a single cylinder 350cc capacity variable speed petrol engine at no
load conditions. A performance and emission characteristic of the engine was compared for
both petrol and biogas as a partial substitution with petrol operations.
2.MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Biogas production

Biogas is produced from cow dung via anaerobic digestion in a floating drum
digester. It consists of an outer and inner drum. Centre of the outer drum has long shaft
through which inner drum is inserted. Drums are made of GI sheet. Schematic diagram of the
fabricated digester is shown in Figure 1. Outer drum is provided with inlet and outlet pipes
for cow dung feeding and manure let out. Inner drum is provided with gas outlet.

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 Figure 1. Schematic diagram of fabricated floating drum type digester

A 25kg of cow dung was taken in the outer drum and is mixed with one third volume
of water then make it into slurry. The slurry was occupied two third volume of outer drum
and was closed with inner drum. The setup is exposed to sunlight throughout the day. After 2
weeks period, biogas is started yielding from cow dung. The biogas was stored in a bigger
size tube through the hose. One time feed was produced biogas in a five times of tube
volume. Manure comes out from the outlet at the bottom can be used as a fertilizer. The
photographic view of the digester with biogas storage in a tube is shown in figure 2.

Figure 2. Photographic view of fabricated digester with storage

2.2 Experimental setup

Briggs and Stratton Engine 1450 Series (SAE Baja Engine) Horizontal OHV Engine
was used for testing biogas as a partial substitution fuel. The detailed specification of the

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engine is given the Table.2. The schematic diagram and photographic view of the test setup is
shown in figure 2 and 3. Tests were performed on the engine at variable speed from 2000 to
3200 rpm under no load condition. The engine was run with petrol at a different speed. For
the same each speed the engine was run with partial substitution of biogas sent via carburettor
inlet from the tube through the hose with the control valve to adjust the flow rate.
Consumption of petrol and gas were measured in each speed conditions. Petrol consumption
was measured using cc graduated tank and stop watch. Gas consumption was measured
using a wet type gas flow meter. Delta 1600 gas analyzer was used to measure CO, CO2, HC
and NOx levels in the exhaust in both operating conditions.

Table 2. Engine specifications

Engine Type 1450 Series
Engine Displacement 305 cc
Torque 19.72 N-m
Bore 80 mm
Stroke 62 mm
Cylinders (Quantity) 1
Cooling system Air cooled
Air cleaner type Dual element
Ignition system Electronic
Governor system Mechanical
Throttle control Manual, remote, adjustable
Carburetor Float
Choke control Manual
Rated speed 3600 rpm

Figure.3 schematic diagram of engine setup

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 Figure.4 Photographic view of test rig

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The experiment was performed in a single cylinder variable speed engine with two
fuel mode at no load conditions. The performance and emission results were compared in a
graphical representation and are shown in the following sections.

3.1Brake power
The variation of brake power versus speed when the engine runs on petrol and biogas-
petrol blend at no load condition are shown in figure 5. Brake power increases with an
increase in engine speed for the test fuels. But no variation was observed in both test fuels
due to constant torque at no load conditions.

Figure 5. Brake Power Vs Engine speed

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3.2 Brake specific fuel consumption

Figure 6 represents the variation of brake specific fuel consumption (bsfc) against
speed for the test fuels at no load condition. It was seen that bsfc decreases with increasing
speed in the range of 2000-3000 rpm for both test fuels and reverse trend of slightly
increasing fuel beyond 3000 rpm. The power required at the speed above 3000 rpm imposed
an increase in fuel consumption due to the decrease in quality of fuel atomization in the
carburetor in case of petrol operation and increase in substitution of biogas decrease oxygen
required for complete combustion in dual fuel mode ( Eze et al., 2010).

Figure 6. Brake specific fuel consumption Vs Engine speed

3.3 Hydrocarbon emission

Figure 7 depicts the variation of hydrocarbon emission versus engine speed. HC

emission was measured at no load with different speed of the engine for the test fuels. HC
emission decreased with increase in speed in both fuels. It was observed that higher HC
emission in biogas–petrol blend fuels compared to petrol fuel. As the speed increases, biogas
flow rate also increases which results in a rich mixture or less concentration of fresh air. In
addition, biogas also has lower flame velocity and higher methane concentration these
reasons could result in the incomplete combustion process in the combustion chamber and
make a higher unburnt hydrocarbon in the exhaust gas (Omid et al., 2011; Huang et al., 1998;
Roubaud et al., 2005).
3.4 Carbon monoxide emissions
Carbon monoxide emission in the exhaust gas is due to deficiency of oxygen in the
fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber which leads to incomplete combustion. Figure 8
shows CO emission for petrol and dual fuel mode. It was noted that CO emissions for the
biogas-petrol fuel mode were considerably higher than those of the petrol mode under

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different engine speed at no load conditions. When the biogas is mixed with air before
carburetor, the percentage of oxygen in the air is decreased and fuels have mix ability
challenges, it results in incomplete combustion and CO emissions. However, the CO2 content
in the biogas may influence the level of the carbon oxides emissions (Chandra et al., 2011;
Lacour et al., 2012; Porpatham et al., 2008).

Figure 7. Hydrocarbon emission Vs Engine speed

Figure 8. Carbon monoxide emissions Vs Engine speed

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3.5 NOx emission

NOx formation by Zeldovich mechanism which governs factors is local temperature,

the concentration of oxygen and retention time (Heywood, 1988). The variation of NOx with
engine load is illustrated in figure 9. NOx emissions increase continuously with engine speed
for both fuel modes because of increase in equivalence ratio. NOx emissions in dual fuel
modes are significantly lower. This is because induction of biogas with air in dual fuel mode
causes a decrease in O2 concentrations in the air-fuel mixture, the presence of CO2 in biogas
composition leads to decreased peak cylinder temperatures by the combustion of biogas due to
high specific heat (Nirendra et al., 2013; Nathan et al., 2010), and decrease in combustion
duration in dual fuel mode. These combined effects are also expected to support the decrease
of NOx emissions. CO2 in the mixture absorbs the heat and decreases the in-cylinder
temperatures. It is also evident that highest levels of HC emissions due to the reduction in the
hydrocarbon oxidation processes.

Figure 9. NOx emissions Vs Engine speed

CONCLUSION
In this study, a single cylinder 350cc capacity variable speed SI engine has been tested by
using biogas as a supplement fuel with petrol without any significant modification. The
biogas used in the experiments was made from cow dung by using digester. The conclusions
of this study are as follows.
 A percentage reduction in specific fuel consumption was observed as 11-32% in the
speed range 2000-3000rpm for biogas- petrol fuel than the petrol.

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  HC and CO emissions were found increases in biogas- petrol fuel compared to petrol
fuel operation
 NOx emissions were decreased to the maximum of 25% at 2000rpm and minimum of
16% at 3000 rpm in dual fuel mode than petrol.

Based on the performance and emission characteristics, the biogas may be utilized as an
efficient partials supplement fuel in SI engines. However, its gaseous nature which accounts
for its low volumetric density implies that apart from the basic modification needed to
accommodate the fuel, the engine might need further alterations to get the best from this
relatively low cost and readily available fuel. Various modes of enhancing performance
particularly methane enrichment, prechamber combustion, alteration of ignition parameters,
increasing compression ratio and the addition of hydrogen to improve performance and
emissions were drawn from previous works to validate its efficiency as a viable substitute
fuel in SI engines.

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