Performance Evaluation and Exhaust Emission of a Diesel Engine Fueled with CNSL Biodiesel

In this article, performance tests were carried out on a diesel engine with neat diesel fuel and biodiesel mixture. Biodiesel (cashew nut shell liquid) was made by pyrolysis process. Fuel blends were tested in a single cylinder, direct injection, water cooled diesel engine. The effects of Blend 10, Blend 20, Blend 30, and number-2 diesel on the engine power, torque, specific energy consumption, and exhaust gases temperature were ascertained by performance tests. The influence of blends on carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NO), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbon emission, and smoke opacity were investigated. The experimental results showed that the use of biodiesel improved the performance parameters and decreased the CO emission to 37% as compared to diesel fuel. Specific energy consumption decreases (35-45% approximately) and CO2 increasing by 36% are an indication of better combustion. Also, 20% by volume contents of cashew nut shell liquid oil in the blends can partially be substituted for the diesel fuel without any modifications in diesel engines.