Experimental study of the performance and emission of diesel engine fueled with blends of diesel–ethanol as an alternative fuel

Abstract

Evaluation of performance and emission was performed on a 3.7-kW, single-cylinder, four-stroke variable compression ratio diesel engine at a rated speed of 1500 rpm. The load ranges (0–0.7 kW, 1.2–2.3 kW, and 2.8–3.5 kW) are indicated as low, medium, and high loads respectively. Different blends of diesel and ethanol were prepared for the study on a volume/volume basis. The blends containing 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% ethanol were fuel D95E5B0, D90E10B0, D70E15B15, and D60E20B20 respectively. Diesel–ethanol blends were D95E5B0 and D90E10B0, whereas diesel–ethanol–biodiesel blends were D70E15B15 and D60E20B20. The outcomes of the study showed that the brake thermal efficiency slightly decreased with increase in ethanol, the brake-specific fuel consumption increased with increase in ethanol, and the exhaust gas temperature increased for higher load and higher ethanol content in the blend. Oxides of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon, and carbon monoxide decreased while smoke reduced drastically with a higher percentage of ethanol in the blend.