Testing ground nut oil/diesel blends as diesel engine fuel.

The applicability of ground nut oil and its blends with diesel fuel as diesel engine fuel was investigated in this study. The objectives are to test a blend of locally grown ground nut oil and diesel fuel in a one cylinder direct injection diesel engine using various blend proportions to determine the best blend ratio. Ground nut oil was blended with diesel fuel and tested as alternative fuel for diesel engines. Results were compared with those obtained for neat diesel fuel in terms of the torque and power developed, the brake mean effective pressure and specific fuel consumption. The results obtained shows that the 30/70 (ground nut/diesel fuel) blend gave the best performance in terms of torque developed and the torque characteristics had flat top like diesel fuel over a wide range of speeds. Diesel fuel however, was superior in terms of specific fuel consumption and brake mean effective pressure. The blends would be suitable as fuel for an engine operating within a speed range of 1600 - 1930 rpm. Of particular importance is the high flash point which makes it a suitable fuel for military applications and use in underground mines.