Performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a diesel engine fuelled with Schizochytrium micro-algae biodiesel and its blends

The use of the third-generation feedstock for biodiesel production has become increasingly popular over the past decade. Among the various third-generation feedstock identified, biodiesel synthesised from the microalgae attracted the attention of researchers throughout the world. The present research includes a study on the suitability of Schizochytrium microalgae biodiesel as an alternative fuel for the diesel engine. The investigation was carried out on the production, characterisation of Schizochytrium microalgae biodiesel through the transesterification process followed by performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a diesel engine fuelled with Schizochytrium microalgae biodiesel and its blends. The study revealed that the properties of biodiesel were obtained to meet the specified ASTM D6751 standards. The engine performance, combustion and emission characteristics were found to be satisfactory than those of fossil diesel.