Experimental Investigation of Performance and Emission Characteristics of Coated Squish Piston in a CI Engine Fueled With Vegetable Oil

Abstract

515-520In this study, the performance and emission characteristics of the CI engine using coated squish piston fueled with Jatropha oil is investigated experimentally. The obtained results were compared with the conventional piston. The test was conducted in single cylinder naturally aspirated water cooled direct injection diesel engine. The squish head and Partially Stabilized Zirconia coating was provided in the conventional piston bowl which helps in better turbulence, i.e., better mixing of air and fuel mixture resulting in improved combustion with the reduced emissions. Because of improved combustion, the peak cycle temperature in the combustion chamber increases. This increase in peak cycle temperature helps in better atomization and vaporization of the fuel used, i.e., Jatropha biodiesel. The increase in the combustion chamber temperature reduces the viscosity of the Jatropha biodiesel resulting in improved combustion. The performance and emission characteristics were improved much better with the squish piston when compared with the conventional piston. Improved brake thermal efficiency was obtained with the coated squish piston. Emissions like HC, CO and Smoke was considerably reduced with the coated squish piston. But in turn, NOX and CO2 are increased due to the increase in peak cycle temperature inside the combustion chamber