An Investigation on the Performance of a Compression Engine when fuelled with Blends of Coconut Oil and Diesel

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental work carried out to evaluate the performance of a diesel engine when fuelled with blends of coconut oil and diesel. This project is in line with the ‘Maurice Ile Durable’ strategy that was launched by the Mauritian Government with a view to decreasing the country dependency on fossil fuels and encouraging the use of renewable locally available energy sources. The coconut oil is blended in different proportion up to 25% to that of diesel oil. The fuel properties such as density and the gross calorific value of each blend are then determined. The blends are then used to run a two cylinder diesel engine coupled with a dynamometer. The engine performance parameters such as the brake specific fuel consumption, thermal and mechanical efficiencies were then assessed and compared to that of diesel. The exhaust emissions of each blend and of diesel were monitored and compared. It is found that at a 25% blend of coconut oil with diesel, the specific fuel consumption is almost the same compared to that of diesel but the mechanical and thermal efficiencies are slightly greater. Moreover, it is observed that there is a large decrease of greenhouse gas emissions up to 80% when the proportion of coconut oil in the blend is increased compared to that of running the engine only with diesel. It is concluded that up to 25% blend of coconut oil can be used in diesel propelled engines.

Keywords: Biofuel, Coconut oil, Transportation, Greenhouse Gas Emissions.