Numerical Investigation of Performance, Combustion, and Emission Characteristics of Various Microalgae Biodiesel on CI Engine

Biodiesel is being considered a possible alternative fuel due to its similarity with diesel and environmental benefits. This current work involves a numerical investigation of CI engine characteristics operating on D100 (diesel) and Dunaliella tertiolecta (DMB20), Scenedesmus obliquus (SOMB20), Scenedesmus dimorphu (SDMB20), and Chlorella protothecoides (CMB20) microalgae biodiesel blend. A diesel engine of 3.7 kW was used with variable compression ratios (CRs) (15.5, 16.5, 17.5, and 18.5) and constant speed (1500 rpm). Comparative analysis was performed for engine characteristics, including emission, combustion, and performance. Cylinder pressure, heat release rate, brake thermal efficiency, specific fuel consumption, particulate matter, oxide of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc., were evaluated using the blended fuel. The results show that the maximum cylinder pressure falls, SFC increases, and EGT and BTE were reduced for all blends at full load. In terms of emission characteristics, PM and smoke were lowered when compared to diesel, but a slight increment in NOx and CO2 was observed. Among all the blends, SOMB20 shows the most decrement in PM and smoke emissions by 14.16% and 11.6%, respectively, at CR 16.5. CMB20 shows a maximum increment in SFC by 3.22% at CR 17.5. A minimum reduction in CP and HRR was shown by DMB20 irrespective of CRs.