Optimization of operational parameters on performance and emissions of a diesel engine using biodiesel

This work investigates the influence of compression ratio on the performance and emissions of a diesel engine using biodiesel (10, 20, 30, and 50 %) blended-diesel fuel. Test was carried out using four different compression ratios (17.5, 17.7, 17.9 and 18.1). The experiments were designed using a statistical tool known as design of experiments based on response surface methodology. The resultant models of the response surface methodology were helpful to predict the response parameters such as brake specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxides. The results showed that best results for brake thermal efficiency and brake specific fuel consumption were observed at increased compression ratio. For all test fuels, an increase in compression ratio leads to decrease in the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions while nitrogen oxide emissions increase. Optimization of parameters was performed using the desirability approach of the response surface methodology for better performance and lower emission. A compression ratio 17.9, 10 % of fuel blend and 3.81 kW of power could be considered as the optimum parameters for the test engine.