Comparative Analysis of Performance and Combustion of Koroch Seed Oil and Jatropha Methyl Ester blends in a Diesel Engine

The present study analyzes the performance and combustion characteristics of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% blending of Koroch Seed Oil Methyl Ester (KSOME) and Jatropha Methyl Ester (JME) with diesel as fuels in a d iesel engine. The brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) was more for the methyl ester blends and particularly for the JME blends. The brake thermal efficiency (BTE) was slightly lower for the biodiesel blends and for the JME blends it was less compared to that of the KSOME blends. The indicated power was more in case of the blends; however it reduced significantly for the 40% blend of KSOME. Both the KSOME and JME blends exhibited similar combustion trend with that of diesel, however, the blends showed an earlier start of combustion with shorter ignition delay. The ignition delay was less and the combustion duration was more for the JME blends as compared to t he KSOME blends. The overall observation was that the KSOME blending up to 30% showed an acceptable performance and combustion trend whereas the JME blends showed favorable combustion trend but due its comparatively higher fuel consumption characteristics, finally the engine BTE was less with the JME fuel blends.