Study on use of biodiesel ethanol blend as a substitute in diesel engine

Abstract

Alcohol in diesel engines can be used by two methods, one through fumigating alcohol in the combustion chamber using a carburetor and second is using alcohol and biodiesel blends. Blending of ethanol with biodiesel is easier. However, blending of ethanol is limited by proof level of ethanol; phase separation of ethanol-biodiesel blend occurs. This problem of phase separation should be solved by using certain surfactant like 1-butanol ethyl acetate etc. The substitute fuel of anhydrous and aqueous ethanol with biodiesel was prepared using ethyl acetate as surfactant and their stability at room temperature was observed.A Compression Ignition engine having rated power of 3.74 kW at 1500 rpm was tested on three samples of ethanol- ethyl acetate- biodiesel substitute fuels using 2000 proof ethanol containing 10 to 20 per cent ethanol with biodiesel and ethyl acetate. The performance of engine in respect of brake power, fuel consumption and brake fuel consumption, and emission of O2, CO2, NO and NO2 was evaluated to determine compatibility of substitute fuel as fuel for C.I. engine. The results obtained that all the three selected substitute fuel, viz. 2000-10/0/90, 2000-15/5/80 and 2000-20/10/70, had similar power producing capabilities, slightly higher fuel consumption, and lower exhaust emission as those of biodiesel fuel alone. Based on the study use of 2000- 20/10/70 ethanol –ethyl acetate –biodiesel substitute fuel recommended for fuel use in Compression Ignition engines. This substitute fuel may replace 30 per cent biodiesel with user emissions.