PERFORMANCE AND EMISSION CHARACTRISTICS OF JATROPHA BIODIESEL BLENDS IN DIESEL ENGINES: A NUMARICAL SIMULATION STUDY

Mechanical Engineering

The combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of diesel-Jatropha biodiesel blends (10–40% by volume) were investigated in a six-cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine using numerical simulation (RK-Diesel). Compared to pure diesel, longer ignition delays and lower peak cylinder pressures were observed with Jatropha blends, attributed to higher fuel viscosity. Although increased specific fuel consumption and elevated NOx and bosh smoke emissions were noted across all blends relative to diesel, the 10% Jatropha blend was found to provide optimal performance, exhibiting combustion stability and improved thermal efficiency. These findings suggest that low-percentage Jatropha-diesel blends could serve as a viable alternative fuel, offering a balance between engine performance and emission trade-offs.

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