Assessing and Comparing the Characteristics of CI Engine Powered by Biodiesel–Diesel and Biodiesel–Kerosene Blends

This study investigates and compares the combustion, performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine fueled with nine different fuels (i.e., diesel, biodiesel–diesel blends, and biodiesel–kerosene blends. Blends of biodiesel with diesel and kerosene are taken as typical values of 10%, 20%, and 30% (CD10, CD20, CD30, CK10, CK20, and CK30). Biodiesel fuel is made from castor oil by transesterification method. Test fuels are used for uni-cylinder, DI diesel engine running at a speed of 2000 rpm and several engine loads (i.e., 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%). Results indicate that the pressure in the cylinder using diesel–biodiesel blends is slightly higher than this conducted to kerosene blends. Both kerosene–biodiesel and diesel–biodiesel blends record values of peak pressure lower than those of pure diesel at all rated engine loads. At the same time, peak pressures of diesel–biodiesel blends are higher than those for kerosene–biodiesel blends by marginal values. On the other hand, a significant decrease in NOx levels was noticed in the case of CK30 recording 20% compared to pure diesel, while CD20 recorded an increase in emissions levels by 19.5% compared to pure diesel. The BSFC and BTE have been observed to be close for both kerosene–biodiesel and diesel–biodiesel blends. This research recommends using kerosene as a base of blending (by 70% kerosene and 30% biodiesel) instead of diesel-not just as an additive, especially in the case of high viscous biodiesel such as castor oil biodiesel in this case.