Transesterification process and biofuel blending actions on performance of compression ignition engine under different loading conditions
-
Aruna Mahalingam
, Nagabhooshanam Nagarajan , Pragati Gajbhiye , Shivakrishna Dasi , Angel Belle , Divakara Rao , Debabrata Barik , Murali Mohanund 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.
-
Research ethics: Not applicable.
-
Informed consent: Not applicable.
-
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
-
Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
-
Conflict of interest: The author states no conflict of interest.
-
Research funding: None declared.
-
Data availability: Not applicable.
References
[1] C. Kurien and M. Mittal, “Review on the production and utilization of green ammonia as an alternate fuel in dual-fuel compression ignition engines,” Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 251, no. 1, p. 114990, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2021.114990.Suche in Google Scholar
[2] A. Rashedi, T. Khanam, and M. Jonkman, “On reduced consumption of fossil fuels in 2020 and its consequences in global environment and exergy demand,” Energies, vol. 13, no. 22, p. 6048, 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13226048.Suche in Google Scholar
[3] M. Waseem, M. Amir, G. S. Lakshmi, S. Harivardhagini, and M. Ahmad, “Fuel cell-based hybrid electric vehicles: an integrated review of current status, key challenges, recommended policies, and future prospects,” Green Energy and Intell. Transport., vol. 2, no. 6, p. 100121, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geits.2023.100121.Suche in Google Scholar
[4] M. Ndiaye, A. Arhaliass, J. Legrand, G. Roelens, and A. Kerihuel, “Reuse of waste animal fat in biodiesel: biorefining heavily-degraded contaminant-rich waste animal fat and formulation as diesel fuel additive,” Renew. Energy., vol. 145, no. 2, pp. 1073–1079, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2019.06.030.Suche in Google Scholar
[5] Dhanya, Perspectives of Agro-Waste Biorefineries for Sustainable Biofuels, Singapore, Springer, 2022.10.1007/978-981-16-8682-5_8Suche in Google Scholar
[6] P. R. Yaashikaa, M. Keerthana Devi, and P. Senthil Kumar, “Algal biofuels: technological perspective on cultivation, fuel extraction and engineering genetic pathway for enhancing productivity,” Fuel, vol. 320, no. 15, p. 123814, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.123814.Suche in Google Scholar
[7] V. Kumar and R. K. Saluja, “The effect of operating parameters on performance and emissions of DI diesel engine fuelled with jatropha biodiesel,” Fuel, vol. 278, no. 1, p. 118256, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118256.Suche in Google Scholar
[8] X. Wang, et al.., “Role of injection pressure on fuel atomization and spray penetration on the Thevetia peruviana and Jatropha Curcas biodiesel blends with nanoparticles,” Fuel, vol. 342, no. 1, p. 124527, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.124527.Suche in Google Scholar
[9] O. Ogunkunle and N. A. Ahmed, “Exhaust emissions and engine performance analysis of a marine diesel engine fuelled with Parinaripolyandra biodiesel–diesel blends,” Energy Rep, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 2999–3007, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2020.10.070.Suche in Google Scholar
[10] B. K. Selvan, et al.., “Utilization of biodiesel blended fuel in a diesel engine – combustion engine performance and emission characteristics study,” Fuel, vol. 311, no. 1, p. 122621, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2021.122621.Suche in Google Scholar
[11] M. E. M. Soudagar, et al.., “Experimental analysis of engine performance and exhaust pollutant on a single-cylinder diesel engine operated using Moringa oleifera biodiesel,” Appl. Sci., vol. 11, no. 15, p. 7071, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11157071.Suche in Google Scholar
[12] M. V. Ortega, et al.., “Experimental study of emissions in single-cylinder diesel engine operating with diesel-biodiesel blends of palm oil-sunflower oil and ethanol,” Case Stud. Therm. Eng., vol. 26, no. 2, p. 101190, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2021.101190.Suche in Google Scholar
[13] S. Karthikeyan, M. Periyasamy, A. Prathima, and K. Sabariswaran, “Performance analysis of diesel engine fueled with S. marginatum macro algae biofuel – diesel blends,” Mater. Today Proc., vol. 33, no. 7, pp. 3464–3469, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.05.356.Suche in Google Scholar
[14] S. Ellappan and S. Rajendran, “A comparative review of performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine using eucalyptus-biodiesel blend,” Fuel, vol. 284, no. 15, p. 118925, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118925.Suche in Google Scholar
[15] M. S. Gad, A. El-Shafay, and H. Abu Hashish, “Assessment of diesel engine performance, emissions and combustion characteristics burning biodiesel blends from curcas seeds,” Process Saf. Environ., vol. 147, no. 1, pp. 518–526, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2020.11.034.Suche in Google Scholar
[16] C. R. Seela, A. Alagumalai, and A. Pugazhendhi, “Evaluating the feasibility of diethyl ether and isobutanol added Jatropha curcas biodiesel as environmentally friendly fuel blends,” Sustain Chem. Pharm., vol. 18, no. 3, p. 100340, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scp.2020.100340.Suche in Google Scholar
[17] K. R. Kavitha, N. Beemkumar, and R. Rajasekar, “Experimental investigation of diesel engine performance fuelled with the blends of Jatropha curcas, ethanol, and diesel,” Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res., vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 8633–8639, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-04288-x.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
[18] D. Singh, et al.., “A comprehensive review of physicochemical properties, production process, performance and emissions characteristics of 2nd generation biodiesel feedstock: Jatropha Curcas,” Fuel, vol. 285, no. 1, p. 119110, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.119110.Suche in Google Scholar
[19] R. Venkatesh, et al.., “Enhancement of light diffusion on microalgae cultivation for bio-hydrogen yield via supercritical water gasification: characteristics study,” Biomass Conv. Bioref., vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 1–10, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-025-06625-2.Suche in Google Scholar
[20] S. P. Venkatesan, R. Rahul, V. Sabbharishi, M. Purusothamand, and S. Ganesan, “Study of emission characteristics of a diesel engine run by fuel blends of diesel, jatropha biodiesel and cetane improver,” Mater. Today Proc., vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1–10, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.02.404.Suche in Google Scholar
[21] V. R. Rai, D. Shringi, and Y. Mathur, “Performance evaluation of diesel-jatropha biodiesel-methanol blends in CI engine,” Mater. Today Proc., vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 1561–1567, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.10.374.Suche in Google Scholar
[22] A. S. Rajpoot, et al.., “Performance analysis of a CI engine powered by different generations of biodiesel; palm oil, Jatropha, and microalgae,” Mater. Today Proc., vol. 2023, no. 1, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.02.037.Suche in Google Scholar
[23] H. H. Bandbafha, et al.., “A comprehensive review on the environmental impacts of diesel/biodiesel additives,” ECAM, vol. 174, no. 1, pp. 579–614, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2018.08.050.Suche in Google Scholar
[24] A. Datta and B. K. Mandal, “Use of Jatropha biodiesel as a future sustainable fuel,” Energy Technol. Pol., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 8–14, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1080/23317000.2014.930723.Suche in Google Scholar
[25] T. Tibesigwa, B. Iezzi, T. H. Lim, J. B. Kirabira, and P. W. Olupot, “Life cycle assessment of biodiesel production from selected second-generation feedstocks,” Clean. Eng. Technol., vol. 13, no. 2, p. 100614, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2023.100614.Suche in Google Scholar
[26] Y. Lv, Z. Guo, X. Rao, H. Yin, H. Hu, and C. Yuan, “Investigation of biodiesel and its blends fueled diesel engine: an evaluation of the comprehensive performance of diesel engines,” Renew. Energy., vol. 231, no. 1, p. 120918, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2024.120918.Suche in Google Scholar
[27] Ş. Altun, M. Ş. Adin, and K. İlçin, “Monohydric aliphatic alcohols as liquid fuels for using in internal combustion engines: a review,” Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. E: J. Process Mech. Eng., vol. 238, no. 4, pp. 1941–1975, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1177/09544089231160472.Suche in Google Scholar
[28] M. V. D. Poures, et al.., “Effect of gasification temperature on biohydrogen derived from waste agro products for alternative fuel application,” SAE Tech. Pap., vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 1–8, 2024. https://doi.org/10.4271/2024-01-5260.Suche in Google Scholar
[29] M. E. M. Soudagar, et al.., “Enrichment of chlorophyta growth via cerium oxide and utilized for hydrogen production via a hydrothermal gasification process,” J. Energy Res. Technol. Part B., vol. 1, no. 1, p. 011008. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4066762.Suche in Google Scholar
[30] M. Ş. Adin, Ş. Altun, and M. Ş. Adin, “Effect of using bioethanol as fuel on start-up and warm-up exhaust emissions from a diesel power generator,” Int. J. Ambient Energy, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 5711–5717, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1080/01430750.2021.1977387.Suche in Google Scholar
© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Artikel in diesem Heft
- 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
Artikel in diesem Heft
- 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