Performance and Emission Analysis of a Single Cylinder Constant Speed Diesel Engine Fuelled with Diesel-Methanol-Isopropyl Alcohol Blends

Performance of a compression ignition engine fuelled with Diesel Methanol blends with Isopropyl alcohol is evaluated. A single-cylinder, air-cooled, direct injection diesel engine developing a power output of 5.2 kW at 1500 rev/min is used. Base data is generated with standard diesel fuel, four fuel blends namely 80:10:10, 70:20:10, 60:20:20 and 50:30;20 percentages by volume of diesel, methanol and isopropyl alcohol were prepared and tested in the diesel engine. Engine performance and emission data were used to optimize the blends for reducing emission and improving performance. Results show improved performance with blends compared to neat fuel. However, 60:20:20 blends recorded a brake thermal efficiency of 35.92% against 30.6% for the neat diesel at maximum brake power without much change in smoke density and NOx emissions. However, little increase in HC emissions were recorded up to 60:20:20 blends and the increase is drastic when the methanol content is above 20%