Experimental investigation of performance, emissionsand noise characteristics of methyl esters of Jatropa insingle cylinder diesel engine and multicylinderdiesel engine light vehicle

Ever increasing consumption of fossil fuel and petroleum products has been a matter of great concern for India. The huge out-go of foreign exchange on one hand and the increase in the price of crude oil on the other hand have affected the development of India. Apart from increase in inflation up to 11.91%, pollution and related health hazards, global warming, climatic change, energy security, depletion of fossil fuel and problems related to transport and distribution of non-renewable conventional fuels have propelled alternative energy. Engine Experiment have been carried out to examine performance, emissions of different blends (B20, B40, B60, B80 and B100) of JME in comparison to diesel. The experimental results show that the brake thermal efficiency of all the blends is slightly lower when compared to diesel fuel . However, up to the B60 blend, brake thermal efficiency of JME were almost equal when compared to diesel and injection timing of 27 deg. BTDC. But, slightly increased NOX emission and reduced smoke & noise were observed. When timing was further advanced to 28 & 29 deg. BTDC, the brake thermal efficiency got improved, but NOX produced in the engine was increased when compared to diesel fuel. Vehicle experiment have been carried out to examine the sound of different blends (B50 & B100) of JME in comparison to diesel. The experimental results show that the sound level of all the blends is slightly lower when compared to diesel fuel.