Review on Preparation of Alternative Fuel from Waste Transformer Oil and Studying Performance Characteristics on Diesel Engine for Different Blends

Reuse and recycling are better options to derive energy or value added products from waste substances and to minimize the disposal problems. Transformer oil is generally used as a coolant in welding transformers, power transformers and electromotive units. After a prolonged use in these devices, the transformer oil becomes waste and is disposed of. The disposal of waste transformer oil (WTO) causes an environmental pollution. However, the WTO has properties that are similar to that of diesel fuel with a marginally higher viscosity and lower calorific value. The present investigation is aimed to reuse the WTO as a possible source of energy to run a small powered, single cylinder, four stroke, and diesel engine. Different techniques such as blending, operating the engine with different injection timings, nozzle opening pressures, compression ratios, preheating and dual fuel mode were adopted to study the engine behaviour in terms of combustion, performance and emission when the engine is fueled with the WTO. The results are analyzed and compared with diesel operation of the same engine.