Fuelling a Small Capacity Diesel Engine with Ethyl Ester of Industrial Rice Bran Oil

Authors:

Naveen Kumar (Delhi College of Engineering, New Delhi)

Keywords: Biodiesel, Rice bran oil, Transesterification, Esterification

Abstract:

Fast depletion of petroleum fossil fuels coupled with increasing environmental concerns have necessitated the use of renewable, cleaner alternative fuels for use in transportation, agriculture and industrial sectors. Biodiesel is fast gaining momentum as a viable alternative fuel not only in India but
worldwide. This study reports two-stage formulation process to convert industrial grade RBO into ethyl
ester (biodiesel), physio-chemical characterization of biodiesel and evaluation of performance and
emission characteristics of a Compression Ignition engine using biodiesel and its blends with diesel fuel.
Maximum yield of 91% of biodiesel was achieved in two stage formulation process. As biodiesel
proportion with diesel was increased up to 30%, engine performance improved. However, beyond 30%
substitution of biodiesel in diesel, there was no further improvement in the performance. The emission
level of UBHC, CO and smoke were significantly lesser with use of biodiesel with diesel as compared to
neat diesel opcration. However, NO emission in general was found to be higher in case of biodiesel-
diesel blends as compared to diesel fuel.