Compatibility test in a CI engine using lemon peel oil and water emulsion as fuel

Abstract A rapid increase in fossil fuel consumption and its environmental degradation create a demand for biodiesels as a replacement of diesel fuel. Water emulsion in base fuel is a suitable pre-processing emission control technique as it can reduces the emissions level with improved engine performance. Based on the motivation, a novel attempt has been made in this present study to evaluate the suitability of LPO and water emulsion as a green fuel for diesel engine. LPO is extracted from lemon fruit rinds using a steam distillation method, and various fuel samples are prepared based on LPO’s volumetric concentration in BD. Emulsion fuel is prepared using sorbitan monolaurate surfactant through mechanical homogenization. The physicochemical properties of sample fuels have been measured based on ASTM standards and their suitability tests are conducted in a single cylinder, four stroke and natural aspirated diesel engine at various BMEP conditions. The experimental results show that LPO promotes the BSFC and BTE by 11% and 16.2% at peak BMEP condition compared to BD, respectively. The emission parameters of LPO such as HC, CO, and smoke are reduced by 46.9%, 57.3%, and 15.9% compared to BD, respectively, whereas the NOx and CO2 emissions are increased by 20.7% and 29.5%. The ICP and NHR values are increased for LPO compared to BD due to longer IDP. LPO10W emulsion fuel further improves the BSFC and BTE by 9.8% and 11.6%, and reduces the HC, CO and NOx emissions by 18.7%, 33.3% and 26% compared to LPO, respectively.