Transesterification process and biofuel blending actions on performance of compression ignition engine under different loading conditions
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Aruna Mahalingam
and
Sathiyamurthy Subbarayan
Abstract
As the demand for sustainable energy and environmental protection grows, alternative biofuels like biodiesel derived from Jatropha Curcas show great potential. By utilizing advanced transesterification techniques with a potassium hydroxide (KOH) catalyst and methanol mixture, we can produce biodiesel and blend it with diesel fuel in varying proportions (1–5 %). These blends demonstrate favourable physical and thermal properties that meet ASTM standards, with kinematic viscosity ranging from 2.1 to 2.5 × 10−6 m2/s. An experimental evaluation of biodiesel/diesel blends in compression ignition (CI) engines with direct injection, tested under various load conditions (10–70 %), produces compelling results. Among the tested blends, the 5 % biodiesel mixture shows superior performance, exhibiting optimal in-cylinder pressure (32 bar), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of 0.32 ± 0.02 kg/kWh, brake power (BP) of 5.2 ± 0.17 kW, and brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of 34 %. Additionally, this blend results in lower emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) at 0.40 %, hydrocarbons (HC) at 23 ± 1 ppm, carbon dioxide (CO2) at 5.8 ± 0.18 %, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) at 275 ± 6 ppm when compared to pure fossil diesel. These findings indicate that the recommended biodiesel blend is a viable option for use in CI engines, providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solution for future applications.
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Research ethics: Not applicable.
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Informed consent: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
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Conflict of interest: The author states no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: None declared.
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Data availability: Not applicable.
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© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Review
- Quantum dots for wastewater treatment for the removal of heavy metals
- Articles
- A hybrid model of prairie dog optimization and closed-form continuous-time neural networks for next generation lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries
- Mass transfer intensification and kinetics of o-xylene nitration in the microreactor
- Transesterification process and biofuel blending actions on performance of compression ignition engine under different loading conditions
- Phosphate, TDS and BOD removal from industrial wastewater using combined sono-pulsed-electrochemical oxidation: optimization by response surface methodology
- Evaluation of degradation in lubricating oil and engine wear using Jatropha oil blended with diesel in stationary compression ignition (CI) engines
- Thermophysical characterization and chemical stability of Ag2O-enhanced eutectic nano-PCMs for moderate-temperature applications
- Experimental evaluation of a solar-assisted heat pump system as a hybrid thermal reactor for energy-efficient drying of agricultural biomass
- Short Communication
- Design of terminator-shaped chamber-based micromixers with different obstructions: a CFD approach
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Review
- Quantum dots for wastewater treatment for the removal of heavy metals
- Articles
- A hybrid model of prairie dog optimization and closed-form continuous-time neural networks for next generation lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries
- Mass transfer intensification and kinetics of o-xylene nitration in the microreactor
- Transesterification process and biofuel blending actions on performance of compression ignition engine under different loading conditions
- Phosphate, TDS and BOD removal from industrial wastewater using combined sono-pulsed-electrochemical oxidation: optimization by response surface methodology
- Evaluation of degradation in lubricating oil and engine wear using Jatropha oil blended with diesel in stationary compression ignition (CI) engines
- Thermophysical characterization and chemical stability of Ag2O-enhanced eutectic nano-PCMs for moderate-temperature applications
- Experimental evaluation of a solar-assisted heat pump system as a hybrid thermal reactor for energy-efficient drying of agricultural biomass
- Short Communication
- Design of terminator-shaped chamber-based micromixers with different obstructions: a CFD approach
