Effect of Bio-diesel Blends on Performance and Exhaust Emissions in Passenger Car

India and most of the world are concerned with economic and environmental issues associated with energy use. The petroleum-derived fuels are the exclusive fuels being used by the entire transport sector. We therefore need to look for alternatives, which could reduce our dependence on oil. Bio-diesel is renewable fuel produced by the esterification of vegetable oil or animal fat and can be used as blend with diesel in engines. The use of bio-diesel blend is getting increasing attention day by day because it is one of fuels that can match the features of diesel fuel at affordable cost and can be easily adapted for use in existing engine technologies, without any major modifications. This interest can further be attributed to a number of benefits like its production from renewable source, biodegradability and its potential to reduce exhaust emissions.

In the present work, impact of different blends of bio-diesel on the vehicle performance and emissions has been studied. B20 blends of ethyl and methyl ester of Pongamia Pinnata oil (PPEE and PPME) and methyl ester of Jatropha Curcas oil (JCME) were prepared and physico-chemical analysis was conducted as per standard ASTM procedures. The lubricity of the blends was also measured on High Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR). Emission tests were conducted as per Indian driving cycle on the chassis dynamometer at temperature of 25 °C on a passenger car. The particulate matter collected on filters was extracted using soxhlet extraction and subjected to chemical characterization by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technique. This paper includes results of the tests conducted with diesel and bio-diesel blends for physico-chemical properties, lubricity, vehicle performance, mass emissions and also chemical characterisation of the particulate matter.