CHARACTERIZATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF RICE BRAN OIL METHYLESTER FOR CI ENGINES AT DIFFERENT INJECTION PRESSURES

Experimental investigations have been carried out using bio diesel as an alternative fuel in single cylinder, compression ignition engine under varying operating conditions. In this work various parameters such as brake power, peak pressure rise, and emissions during combustion process under varying operating conditions with diesel, bio diesel, blends of bio diesel were studied. Neat vegetable oils pose some problems when subjected to prolonged usage in CI engine. These problems are attributed to high viscosity, low volatility and polyunsaturated character of the neat vegetable oils. These problems are reduced to minimum by subjecting the vegetable oils to the process of transesterification. A series of engine test provided adequate and relevant information that the biodiesel can be used as an alternative and environmental friendly fuel in existing diesel engines without any modification in the engine hardware.