Addition of Ester (Biodiesel) to Ethanol-Diesel Blend to Improve the Engine Performance and to Control the Emissions of Nitrous Oxides

Usage of biofuels received much attention in the current situation of depleting fossil-fuel reserves and increased emission legislation. Many ideas have been implemented upon usage of biofuels for energy production to achieve low-emission levels. Internal combustion engines are the basic prime movers for power generation as well as for transportation purpose, which are basically run on fossil petroleum. Usage of eco-friendly fuels like ethanol and biodiesel as alternate fuels in engines attracted the attention of researchers. The present work envisages the effects of ester addition to the ethanol-diesel blends like E10, E20 and E30. The performance and emissions nature of ethanol-diesel blended fuel was observed using a single-cylinder, direct injection, constant speed diesel engine. Exhaust gas recirculation was adopted to control NOx emissions. Engine performance in terms of brake specific fuel consumption, and brake thermal efficiency is compared. The results showed that, the engine performance has been improved with an addition of ester to ethanol-diesel blend. Considerable reductions in emissions also been observed with the addition of ester, and using the EGR option reduction of NOx emissions was observed.