Tribological characteristics of Pongamia oil methyl ester

The tribological characteristics of biodiesel PME (Pongamia oil methyl ester) is analysed in this work. Three blends B20, B50 and B80 of pongamia methyl ester with diesel were prepared. Tribological studies were performed with these blends using fourball tribotester and reciprocating wear tester to analyse the friction and wear behavior at various operating parameters. It was observed that wear and frictional torque reduced with increase in biodiesel content. The frictional torque was found to decrease with time. Thus, higher blends have a lower coefficient of friction than lower blends. Wear in the steel ball for the B50 blend is 25% less than that for the B20 blend and the wear appears to stabilize for concentrations greater than B50. Reciprocating wear test on cylinder liner-piston ring suggested that PME could offer better lubricity between the sliding surfaces than that of pure diesel. SEM anlaysis of the worn surfaces suggested that the surface lubricated with PME blends were less affected during the wear process when compared to those with pure diesel

Effect of pongamia biodiesel on emission and combustion characteristics of DI compression ignition engine

Biodiesel produced from pongamia oil has been considered as promising option for diesel engines because of its environmental friendliness. In this work, bio-diesel from pongamia oil is prepared (PME 100), tested on a diesel engine for different blends such as PME 20, PME 40, PME 60 and PME 80. Comparison is made with diesel operation. Parameters such as brake thermal efficiency, brake specific fuel consumption, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, smoke and NOx emissions are evaluated. Even though the performance reduces slightly when the engine is fueled with biodiesel, significant changes in the combustion parameters observed in case of biodiesel blends are significant to note. On the other hand, reduction in CO, HC and smoke is observed. Study reveals the effect of bio-diesel on a DI engine when compared to diesel and evolves conclusions with respect to performance and emissions

Investigation of emissions and combustion characteristics of a CI engine fueled with waste cooking oil methyl ester and diesel blends

Biodiesel has been identified as a potential alternative fuel for CI engines because use of biodiesel can reduce petroleum diesel consumption as well as engine out emissions. Out of many biodiesel derived from various resources, biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oil (WCO) can be prepared economically using usual transesterification process. In the present study, in-depth research and comparative study of blends of biodiesel made from WCO and diesel is carried out to bring out the benefits of its extensive usage in CI engines. The experimental results of the study reveal that the WCO biodiesel has similar characteristics to that of diesel. The brake thermal efficiency, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbon and smoke opacity are observed to be lower in the case of WCO biodiesel blends than diesel. On the other hand specific energy consumption and oxides of nitrogen of WCO biodiesel blends are found to be higher than diesel. In addition combustion characteristics of all biodiesel blends showed similar trends when compared to that of conventional diesel