Performance Evaluation and Emission Characteristics of a Diesel Engine Using Mahua Oil Methyl Ester (MOME)

Biodiesel developed from non-edible oils promise to be a very important prospective alternative fuel for diesel engines in India. Tests were carried out in Engines and Unconventional Fuel Laboratory in Center for Energy Studies in Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi using Mahua Oil Methyl Ester (MOME). During the entire range of tests it was observed that up to 30 percent MOME added to neat diesel by volume can be used in the existing engine without any symptoms of undesirable combustion. Thermal efficiency of direct injection Diesel engine running MOME differs little from results obtained with neat diesel fuel. The engine adopted for the present work is a small horsepower diesel engine (6HP at 1500 RPM, Single cylinder, four stroke water cooled engine), typical of ones widely used in our agricultural sector. A series of engine tests provided adequate relevant information that the MOME can be used in the existing IC engine without substantial hardware modification