Abstract:
Depletion of fossil fuels and increase of emissions have alarmed the researchers to
think seriously on alternative fuels in order to maintain and provide sustainable
development. Vegetable oils have long been considered as attractive alternative fuels
to the conventional diesel fuel. Use of vegetable oils provides almost same power
output with higher fuel consumption resulting into lower brake thermal efficiency
when compared to conventional diesel. Some of such alternative fuels are Cottonseed,
Jatropa, Linseed, Rapeseed Sesame etc..,that are available, out of which, the heating
value of Jatropa vegetable oil is nearer to conventional diesel. Hence, Jatropa based
straight vegetable oil (SVO) is considered as pilot fuel for this experimental work. But
the viscous and dense nature of SVO, makes coarser injection causing poor
atomization and later vaporization resulted in deterioration of its combustion process.
As literature suggested, use of pre-heated straight vegetable oil at 90oC will have
lower viscosity as prescribed in ASTM limits for CI fuels, hence this temperature is
considered to continue with pre-heated straight vegetable oil at 90o C (PHSVO 90) as
a pilot fuel.
