Taguchi Method for Investigating the Performance Parameters and Exergy of a Diesel Engine Using Four Types of Diesel Fuels

The effects of changes in engine operating parameters, i.e., engine speed, throttle and water temperature, for four types of diesel fuel (A, B, C and D) of different specific gravities, as supplied from local market and refineries, were studied and simultaneously optimized. The experiment design was based on Taguchi’s “L' 16” orthogonal table, and the engine was put to test at different engine speeds, throttling opening percentages and water temperatures, using different fuels. The data were analyzed using S/N (signal to noise ratio) for each factor. The obtained results show that the optimum operating conditions for minimum BSFC (brake specific fuel consumption) are achieved when the engine speed is 2500 rpm, the throttle is placed at 75% of full throttling, the water temperature is 80 o C and the engine is using fuel type D. Also, results of S/N ratio reveal that the throttle has significant influence on brake thermal and exergic efficiencies. Water temperature is the second most effective factor and then comes the influence of engine speed. The least effective factor among the studied parameters for the types of fuel considered in this experiment is the fuel type.