Effect of EGR on Performance and Emissions in a Diesel Engine Fuelled with Jatropha Oil Methyl Ester

Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), is one of the most effective means of reducing NOx emissions from compression ignition engines and is likely to be used in order to meet future emission standards. Biodiesel is a non-toxic, biodegradable and renewable fuel with the potential to reduce engine exhaust emissions. The methyl ester of jatropha oil, known as bio-diesel, is receiving increasing attention as an alternative fuel for diesel engines. In the present investigation neat Jatropha oil Methyl Ester (JME) as well as the blends of varying proportions of Jatropha oil Methyl Ester (JME) and diesel were used to run a CI engine with and without exhaust gas recirculation. Significant improvements in engine performance and emission characteristics were observed for JME fuel. The addition of Jatropha oil Methyl Ester (JME) to diesel fuel has significantly reduced HC, CO, and smoke emissions but it increased the NOx emissions slightly without the application of EGR. The NOx emissions were decreased with the application of EGR with minor effect on fuel consumption rate. Similar trends in brake thermal efficiency, brake specific energy consumption, cylinder pressure and rate of cylinder pressure rise were observed with EGR.