Taguchi-grey relational-based multi-response optimisation of diesel-Calophyllum inophyllum biodiesel blends fuelled diesel engine

Experimental investigation was done on a single cylinder, four stroke, VCR diesel engine using diesel and diesel-Calophyllum inophyllum biodiesel blends for performance optimisation. This paper explores the combined effect of three input parameters, viz. compression ratio, blend proportion, and load, in controlling three main response variables, viz. brake power (BP), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), and brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC). The experiments were conducted using the design of experiments proposed by Taguchi. Using signal-to-noise ratio and grey relational analysis, data obtained with the L9 orthogonal array was analysed to find the optimum combination by transforming the multi-response problem into a single response problem using grey relational grade (GRG). By means of experiments, the optimum combination of input parameters was further confirmed. The results of this study revealed that, at a compression ratio of 16, with a blend proportion consisting 10% of Calophyllum inophyllum biodiesel at 75% load, gives the best possible performance.