Presently, energy security and food security are two major problems of developing countries. The use of edible oils as an alternative fuel for internal combustion may lead to a food crisis. The non-edible plant-based alternative fuel not only results in energy security but also helps to keep the environment free from pollution. In this experimental investigation, a non-edible plant-based bio-fuel cardanol produced from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) is used to study the combustion, performance and emissions of a single-cylinder diesel engine. The test conditions of the engine are 200 bar injection pressure and 27.5 degree bTDC injection timing. The bio-fuel blends B10M10 (10% cardanol + 80% diesel + 10% methanol), B20M10, and B30M10 (30% cardanol + 60% diesel + 10% methanol) were tested at 25%, 50%, 75%, and full load conditions. The results were compared with baseline diesel operation. From the experimental work, it was observed that the brake thermal efficiency of B10M10 and B20M10 (20% cardanol + 70% diesel + 10% methanol) is comparatively similar to that of diesel. The lower emissions of CO, hydrocarbon, and smoke are encouraging to recognize B20M10 as an optimized fuel blend for a compression ignition engine at 200 bar injection pressure and 27.5 degree bTDC. The significant factors of cardanol bio-fuel include its low cost, non-edible, abundance, and it is a by-product of the cashew nut industries.
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Waste Management and Disposal