Abstract

Biodiesels are produced from various organic materials such as plants, fossils and bio wastes etc. The present work is a proposal for the study of combustion characteristics in a single cylinder DI diesel engine with a bio-fuel derived from Jatropha and Pongamia seed oil for supporting industrial aspects in India. Tests were conducted to study the engine characteristics such as heat release rate, peak pressure, ignition delay and brake thermal efficiency were studied for part load and rated load with different compression ratios 17.5:1, 19:1 and 20:1. Experimental results conclude that engine operating at a compression ratio 20:1 is found to be more effective with Jatropha and Pongamia blends. Combustion characteristics reveals maximum cylinder pressure occurs at PME20% as an optimal blend ratio. Ignition delay were reliable for shorter angle at 12.6#xB0; for PME20% blend. Performance characteristics suggests that brake thermal efficiency was increased for JME30% blend ratio.