Emission Characteristics of Jatropha - Dimethyl Ether Fuel Blends on A DI Diesel Engine

In this study, Biodiesel -Dimethyl Ether (BDE ) was tested in a 4-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine to investigate the performance and emission characteristics of the engine under five engine loads at the maximum torque .The engine speed was maintained at 1500 rpm. Here the jatropha oil is used as a non edible oil to produce the biodiesel. The dimethyl ether is used as an additive to enhance the engine combustion. The BDE 5 (biodiesel 95% and dimethyl ether 5%), BDE 10 (biodiesel 90% and dimethyl ether 10%) and BDE 15(biodiesel 85% and dimethyl ether 15%) were tested in the engine. The results indicate that when compared with neat jatropha, the engine performance increased and emission level decreased with adding the diethyl ether with methyl ester of jatropha oil. In comparison with neat jatropha, the BDE10 blends have 10% higher brake thermal efficiency (BTE) .The experimental results showed that the CO, HC and NOx emission is decreased for all BDE blends. The brakes specific fuel consumption ( BSFC) decreased for all BDE blends compared to neat jatropha oil.