Experimental investigation of compression ignition engine fueled with Biobutanol and upgraded waste engine oil for performance

Upgraded waste engine oil can be utilized as compression ignition fuel. This experimental study is to overcome the limitations in fueling upgraded waste engine oil into diesel engine as fuel, by the addition of butanol, modification of nozzle opening pressure, fuel injection timing and intake air temperature. Butanol (0-50% by volume) was blended with upgraded waste engine oil and tested for properties. Butanol used was produced from vegetable waste by recycling. The optimal blend of butanol and upgraded waste engine oil was obtained by comparing the properties with diesel. This blend was tested in a direct injection compression ignition engine for various load conditions by modifying the engine operating parameters such as nozzle opening pressure, fuel injection timing and intake air temperature for performance. The optimal level of these parameters (210 bar of nozzle opening pressure, 29 degrees C before top dead centre of fuel injection timing and 100 degrees C of intake air temperature) to fuel 50% upgraded waste engine oil and 50% butanol. The optimal levels of these parameters were obtained by using orthogonal array and Taghuchi method. The brake thermal efficiency, peak in-cylinder pressure, peak heat release rate, ignition delay, emissions of smoke, oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter produced by this blend was found to be closer to that of diesel at rated power condition. However, the emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon produced by fueling this blend were found slightly higher compared to diesel. Also, at low load conditions (less than 25% of rated power) the performance of the engine fueled with this blend was found to be marginally low compared to diesel.