3. Performance and Emission Parameters of Single Cylinder VCR Engine Fuelled with Argemone Biodiesel and Blend with Diesel Fuel

In this, experimental study has been carried out to investigate the performance and emission characteristics of single cylinder, four strokes, water cooled, VCR engine fuelled with argemone biodiesel blends with diesel (AB10, AB20, AB30) at different load conditions (no load, part load and full load). The argemone methyl ester was derived from single step transesterification method due to low fatty acid value. The effect of different reaction parameters named as molar ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature, reaction time, stirring speed on the properties of argemone biodiesel was also studied. The optimum reaction conditions for production of biodiesel were molar ratio 1:6 (oil to methanol), catalyst concentration 1.5% (w/w of oil) reaction temperature 75 °C, reaction time 2 h and stirring speed 550 rpm. The properties of argemone methyl ester were determined and compared with diesel standard. The result indicates that performance parameters such as brake thermal efficiency increased by 6–10%, and whereas the specific fuel consumption decreased by 4–6% for AB30 at full load conditions. On the other hand, emission parameters: carbon monoxides (70–90%), carbon dioxide (20–30%) and unburnt hydrocarbon (70–80%) were reduced for AB30 at full load conditions. The argemone methyl ester produced more nitric oxide (NO _x ) emission by (12–20%) for AB30 at full load conditions than that of diesel fuel. From the experiment, investigation signifies that argemone biodiesel blends with diesel can be used as an alternative fuel for diesel engine without any engine modification.