Dynamic Performance of Agricultural Tractor Fuelled with Karanja Biodiesel Blends for Tillage Operation

This paper reveals the scope for utilization of biodiesel blends with petrol diesel in agricultural tractor for tillage operations for addressing the problem of fuel crisis. The blends were prepared on volume basis in proportions of 20:80, 40:60, 60:40 and designated as B20, B40, B60 respectively and their physico-chemical properties were determined/measured and compared with petro-diesel (B0). The performance of agricultural tractor in terms of specific draft, drawbar power, fuel consumption and fuel efficiency were assessed following the RNAM test codes and the exhaust emission of the tractor was also analysed using exhaust gas analyzer at three selected forward speeds viz., 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 km h-1 during tillage operations. The results revealed that the specific draft and drawbar power of tractor were not affected by the blends but significantly affected by forward speed. However, the fuel consumption and fuel efficiency were affected significantly by both the blends and forward speed of operation. The rate of increase in the emission levels of CO and NOX were the direct function of forward speed. The emission level of CO decreased with the blends of biodiesel while, the NOX emissions increased with the increase in biodiesel blends. Among the blends tested, B20 had very similar performance with petro diesel in terms of specific draft, drawbar power and exhaust gas emission, thus has the scope for utilization as fuel in agricultural tractor for tillage operations.