Effect of triacetin as an oxygenated additive in algae biodiesel fuelled CI engine combustion, performance, and exhaust emission analysis

In this experimental investigation, oxygenated additive triacetin is used in an algae oil biodiesel-diesel blend (ABD40) to examine the combustion, performance and exhaust emissions from a single-cylinder 3.5 kW diesel engine. Different percentages of additive (2 %, 4 %, 6 % and 8 % by volume) are mixed in ABD40, and the experiments are performed at varying engine loads by maintaining a fixed engine speed. The combustion results at full load (100 %) reveal that 4 % triacetin in ABD40 achieves high combustion pressure than diesel fuel (DF) and other biodiesel blends. Similarly, a high BTE of 30.39 % is achieved for 4 % triacetin in ABD40 than other biodiesel blends. However, it is 7.23 % lesser than mineral diesel fuel. Due to high density and kinematic viscosity, the fuel consumption for biodiesel blends is recorded as higher than DF. Furthermore, low exhaust emissions are acclaimed for 4 % additive triacetin in ABD40 than DF, and a drop of CO (25.51 %), NOx (12.81 %), UHC (70.53 %) and Smoke (14.85 %) is recorded at 100 % load compared to DF. Hence, it is concluded that 4 % triacetin in ABD40 is the better choice as a diesel fuel replacement, and significant performance and emissions results are possible with the addition of oxygenated additive triacetin, which enhanced fuel properties of high heating value and cetane number.

Automated summary

In this experimental investigation, the combustion, performance, and exhaust emissions of a diesel engine running on an algae oil biodiesel-diesel blend (ABD40) with the oxygenated additive triacetin were examined. Results showed that adding 4% triacetin in ABD40 achieved higher combustion pressure and better fuel efficiency than diesel fuel. However, higher fuel consumption was recorded for biodiesel blends compared to diesel fuel. The addition of 4% triacetin also resulted in lower emissions of CO, NOx, UHC, and Smoke compared to diesel fuel.