HEAT RELEASE RATE, PERFORMANCE AND VIBRATION ANALYSIS OF DIESEL ENGINE OPERATING WITH BIODIESEL - TRIACETIN ADDITIVE BLEND FUELS

The diesel fuel experiments were conducted on diesel engine, with coconut oil methyl ester (COME)-Triacetin additive blends as alternative fuels. Reduction of CO2, CO, HC, NO, and smoke emissions were achieved successfully with 10% Triacetin and 90% COME blend fuel. Three directions of engine cylinder and on the foundation were measured and analyzed for Vibration of engine, to elicit information about the nature of combustion in the cylinder. The pressure signatures were tallied with the time waves, eliminating the time lag in between exciter and vibration of cylinder head. Triacetin, being an antiknock fuel with 10% blend, emanated as the best blend fuel with its contribution to reduce cylinder vibration in the vertical direction. Time wave resemblance with pure harmonics indicates smooth combustion with lesser engine detonation. By analyzing the measured in-cylinder pressure data and released heat rate, it is observed that the addition of Triacetin increases the ignition delay and the amount of heat release in the premixed combustion duration, but shortens both the diffusive burning duration and the total combustion duration. KEYWORDS: Biodiesel, Engine Performance, Triacetin, Vibrations, Additive, Blend fuel & Heat Release Rate