International Journal of Engineering and Technology

In the present work Karanja oil is used as a source for biodiesel production via base catalyzed transesterification and biodiesel produced in the process is mixed with an additive (Dimethyl Carbonate) in varying volume proportions to prepare a number of test fuels for engine application. Experiments were carried out on a four stroke single cylinder constant speed direct injection diesel engine under varying load condition to investigate about the performance and emission characteristics of the engine fuelled with the present test fuels. The results of investigation show increase in brake power and brake thermal efficiency with load for all test fuels. It is also noticed that the brake thermal efficiency increases with the percentage of additive in the test fuels. The brake specific fuel consumption decreases with increase in additive percentage in the test fuels. The exhaust gas temperature increases almost linearly with load for all test fuels and decreases with increase in additive percentage in the fuel. Results show that the CO and HC emissions tend to decrease with increase in additive percentage in biodiesel. The smoke and NOx emissions also decrease with increase in additive percentage in the biodiesel fuel.