Comparative performance and emission studies of the CI engine with Nodularia Spumigena microalgae biodiesel versus different vegetable oil derived biodiesel

Biodiesel is a renewable diesel fuel that can be burned in any unmodified diesel engine at any concentration. Biodiesel from Nodularia Spumigena microalgae produced by transesterification is used in the present study. Methyl esters of algae have been prepared after successful extraction of biomass in an open pond cultivation system. Biodiesel was blended with diesel fuel with the volumetric ratios of 10% (A10) and 20% (A20). The experiments were conducted on a constant speed (1500 rpm), 4-stroke diesel engine fitted with diesel particulate filter (DPF) at a fuel injection pressure of 180 bar. Methyl esters of Karanja oil, Rice Bran oil, and Castor oil were also tested in the same engine for comparison. BSFC values increased with increase in Biodiesel blend percentage in diesel. However, K20 and A20 showed fuel economy by 5.51% and 10.06% in comparison to diesel. The emissions of CO and HC with fuel A20 are decreased by 65.77% and 53.33% respectively. The NOx emission showed an increasing trend with the blending of algae methyl esters in diesel. The presence of DPF is credited for significant reduction of PM emissions. The results predicted that the usage of algae blends could be supported, although there is a slight reduction in engine performance and an increase in NOx emissions.