Enhancement of combustion and emission characteristics of diesel using lavender oil blending

PurposeThis study aims at improving combustion process to reduce emissions. Emissions such as carbon monoxide, particulate matter and unburnt hydrocarbons are a result of incomplete combustion. These emissions have useful energy but cannot be reclaimed. Hence, to enhance combustion, effect of biofuel blending on diesel combustion was investigated. Design/methodology/approachEssential oils have been found easier for blending with diesel because of simple molecular structure compared to vegetable oils. Lavender oil is an essential oil which has not yet been studied by blending with diesel. The major constituents of lavender oil are linalyl acetate (cetane number improver) and linalool (nitrogen oxides reduction). A single-cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine was run by blending diesel with lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia oil [LAO]) in varying proportions, 5%, 10% and 15% by volume. FindingsHigher heat release rate (HRR) was observed using lavender oil blends compared to pure diesel. Compared to diesel, an increase in brake-specific fuel consumption using blends was observed. LAO15 has the lowest CO emissions at all loading conditions, 29.3% less at 100% load compared to diesel. LAO5 and LAO15 have 6.9% less HC emissions at 100% load condition compared to diesel. LAO15 has only 1.3% higher NOx emissions compared to diesel at 100% load condition. LAO5 has the lowest smoke content at all loading conditions. Research limitations/implicationsLavender oil was used directly without any processing. Tested on single-cylinder engine. Originality/valueTo the best of the author's knowledge, currently, there is no published work on lavender oil-diesel combination. Lavender oil can provide a simple renewable solution for diesel additives with potential up to 15% blending.