Influence of injection timing on the performance, combustion and emission characteristics of diesel engine powered with tamarind seed biodiesel blend

The limitations and ramifications of petroleum fuel on the present environmental society raised the necessity of alternative fuel. The physicochemical properties of biodiesel and its ability to reduce emissions have engaged the attention of researchers to prefer biodiesel as a better alternative fuel. A modification in engine parameters is proven to be one of the best techniques to obtain comparable results with diesel. The following study emphasises TSME 20 (20% Tamarind Seed Methyl Ester with 80% diesel) as an alternative fuel and its performance and emission characteristics are deciphered at different injection timings (19 degrees, 23 degrees and 27 degrees bTDC) at different loads. Focusing on the results obtained at full-load condition, considerable improvement in brake thermal efficiency by 3.18% was noticed with the significant reduction in carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, oxides of nitrogen and smoke by 17.3%, 57.3%, 31.34% and 8.1%, respectively, at retarded injection timing compared to standard injection timing.