Experimental investigations on performance parameters on low heat rejection diesel engine with crude vegetable oil with magnetic induction

ABSTRACT In the context of depletion of fossil fuels, ever increase of pollution levels and increase of economic burden on Govt of India due to import of crude petroleum the search for alternative fuels has become pertinent. Alcohols and vegetable oils are important substitutes for diesel fuel, as they are renewable in nature. However, due to their low cetane number, alcohols cause combustion problems in diesel engine, That too, most of the alcohols produced in India is diverted for petro-chemical industries. Crude vegetable oils are very promising alternative fuels for diesel fuel, as they are renewable, biodegradable, provide energy security and foreign exchange savings. However, drawbacks associated with crude vegetable oil of high viscosity and low volatility which cause combustion problems, call for low heat rejection (LHR) engine with its significant characteristics of maximum heat release and ability to handle the low calorific value fuel. LHR engine consisted of ceramic coated cylinder head. A hydrocarbon fuel was polarized by exposure to external force such as magnetism. The result of which is of course, more complete and rapid burning of the hydrocarbon fuel. Experiments were conducted to determine performance parameters of brake thermal efficiency, brake specific energy consumption, exhaust gas temperature, coolant load and volumetric efficiency with conventional engine (CE) and LHR engine with and without magnetic induction with vegetable oil operation. LHR engine with crude vegetable oil operation with magnetic induction improved performance, when compared with CE with vegetable oil operation.