Experimental Investigation on Impact of Diethyl Ether Additives with Cashew Nut Shell Liquid Biodiesel Blends on Performance Characteristics of Engine Operating at Optimum Conditions

Stringent emission norms and the fast depletion of fuel led to the use of alternate fuels and additives and work on methods to optimize fuel injection parameters and exhaust gas recirculation. The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of diethyl ether additives as blend constituents with diesel-cashew nut shell biodiesel blends. To facilitate biodiesel, minor modification such as retardation of timing by 4° CA, 15% split, and 20% EGR has been implemented. These modifications are intended to obtain lower emissions. Experiments are conducted by blending additives with diesel and biodiesel blends, and results are compared to the base. Higher latent heat of additives reduces combustion temperature, resulting in lower NO_x emissions. Lower viscosity, higher cetane number, and higher oxygen concentration improved atomization, better air–fuel mixture, and complete combustion leading to a further reduction in CO, HC, and smoke emissions. Brake thermal efficiency and BSEC improved marginally with additives due to better combustion characteristics.