Study on combustion, performance and exhaust emissions of bioethanol-gasoline blended spark ignition engine

Abstract

This work focusses on a novel technique of producing bioethanol from fermented pomegranate fruits waste by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly known as baker's yeast. Four different blends of bioethanol, namely PE10, PE15, PE20, and PE25 were experimented at various operating speeds. It was inferred that the addition of ethanol enhanced the consumption of fuel as well as braking capacity. However, thermal performance was observed to be declined. PE15 blend exhibited optimum brake thermal efficiency at full load condition when compared with unleaded fuel. Brake specific fuel consumption of PE15 was noticed to be lower at different operating speeds among all the blends. Oxides of nitrogen as well as carbon dioxide emissions were increased as the proportion of ethanol in pure fuel was increased. Hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions were reduced, while increasing the ratio of ethanol relative to pure gasoline, except PE10 blend. The combustion characteristics were also studied. Lower value of coefficient of variation revealed stable combustion. This study conclude that PE15 can be used as an alternative fuel.