Performance Evaluation of a Biodiesel Engine Using Optimization Techniques

Abstract

Biodiesel, a renewable fuel, can be a substitute for fast depletion of fossil fuel as an alternative energy source.This work is aimed at investigating the effects of engine performance of a single cylinder 5 kW diesel engine.Simarouba oil which was extracted from seeds of simaroubatree.simarouba biodiesel obtained by transesterification process  is blended with diesel at different percentages has its properties closer to that of diesel.The experiments were designed using a statistical tool known as design of experiments based on Taguchi. Four parameters compression ratio, injection pressure, load, blend proportions were varied at three levels and the responses brake power, specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency. Results of conformation tests showed good agreement with predicted quantities.