Comparison and Evaluation of Performance, Combustion and Emissions of Diesel, Jatropha and Karanja Oil Methyl Ester Biodiesel in a Military 780 hp CIDI Engine

The depleting fossil fuel resources and stringent emission legislation due to global warming have driven the engine technology towards the search for alternative fuels for diesel engines. In the present study, a military 780 hp CIDI engine was fuelled with diesel, jatropha oil methyl ester (JOME) and karanja oil methyl ester (KOME) biodiesel respectively. The performances of fuels were evaluated in terms of power out put, specific fuel consumption and heat release rates. The emission of carbon monoxide (CO), unburnt hydrocarbon (UHC), and oxides of nitrogen NOx with the three fuels were also compared. Both karanja and jatropha oil, after transesterification exhibit the properties within acceptable limits of ASTM standard. Performance of both KOME and JOME were slightly lower than diesel. Emissions of CO, and UHC were found lower with both KOME and JOME as compared to diesel fuel, but with slightly higher NOx emission.