Study on biodiesel produced from inedible and waste feedstock in a diesel engine

Abstract

This research work focuses on the production of biodiesel from inedible, low-cost and waste feedstock for diesel engine application. With this intent, two indispensible feedstocks, kapok oil and CNSL (Cashew nut shell liquid), extracted by steam treatment processes followed by mechanical crushing, were chosen for producing biodiesel. The properties of the produced biodiesel were found to be amenable for its use in diesel engine and subsequently, the operation of them is studied through fuel and engine design modification strategies. Notably, the fuel properties of the optimum blend of kapok biodiesel were modified by adding 1,4-Dioxane additive, while TBC (thermal barrier coating) and variation of combustion bowl geometry were design modification strategies employed to operate kapok biodiesel blends. Further, TBC and preheating of inlet fuel were employed as design and fuel modification techniques, respectively, to investigate CNSL biodiesel. Finally, combustion and emission modeling for kapok biodiesel were accomplished using KIVA4 and CHEMKIN.