Evaluation of Catharanthus roseus Biodiesel as an Alternative Fuel to study the Performance and Emission Characteristics via 4-S Internal Combustion Engine

Abstract

Global warming and pollution alert distress worldwide. Owing to increasing air pollutions by vehicles and industries has totally disturbed the resources on earth. As a result demand for energy altogether increasing steadily around the world. In India, the demand for energy raised 7.3% per annum and the import of crude around 70%. As a result of increasing energy demad, there has been a strong demand for alternate fuel like biodiesel for the proper performance in burning engine. Biodiesel has property of non-toxic, renewable and a perishable fuel and their physicochemical properties are clearly different from crude fuel. In the present work, biodiesel produced from Catharanthus roseus seeds by acid-base catalyzed transesterification method was results blended with varying proportions of diesel (B20, 40, 60, 80, & B 100) and examined in 4-S diesel engine. The performance of 4-S diesel engine such as brake thermal efficiency, heat input, specific fuel consumption and mechanical efficiency were studied. Emission characteristics were studied by analyzing the exhaust gas temperature, smoke density and hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide content.