Abstract

The present investigation deals with combustion, emission and performance characteristics of a single cylinder DI diesel engine for biodiesel blends (J10, J20, J30, P10, P20, P30) with the optimum use of EGR system by the formulation of matrix analysis. Compression ratios like 17.5:1, 19:1, 20:1 were varied. The piston was modified by cold metal transfer (CMT) welding with the use of aluminium alloy on the piston bowl of the diesel engine. Tests were performed at different loading conditions and results were obtained. The performance study suggests that BTE was found to be increased with J20 CR20 and slight reduction with J20 CR20 E20 blend compared to diesel. Peak pressure was higher for J20 CR20 conforming better combustion characteristics over other biodiesel blends. Ignition delay were shorter for J20 CR20 and P20 CR20 blends with crank angle varying from 23.4 deg to 10.78 deg for J20 CR20 and 23.4 deg to 10.48 deg for P20 CR20 before TDC. NOx emission was increased with the increase in percentage of biodiesel blends. Significant NOx reduction in biodiesel blends were found with the use of EGR in J20 CR20 EGR20 and P20 CR20 EGR20.