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• Taguchi design in optimization of performance and emissions characteristics of n -butanol/diesel/biogas. • Experimentation was done using Taguchi L9 orthogonal array design. • Biogas to examine its performance and emission parameters to enhance the diminution in the CO and HC emissions. • Maximize and minimize performance of venomous exhaust emissions from the tailpipe of the engine. Combustion experts are in search of some alternative fuel from last few decades owing to diminishing petroleum products and unexpected variations in habitat, which are result of venomous emissions from the CI engines. The present investigation intended to assess the performance and emission parameters of a diesel engine by fueling it with pilot fuel (blends of diesel and n -butanol) and primary fuel (Biogas). Results revealed that BTE, HC and CO increases whilst NOx and smoke emissions were reduced by using the pilot and primary fuel together in relation with natural diesel. Experimentation was done using Taguchi L9 orthogonal array design. The engine load, flow rate of biogas and butanol in fuel blend percentage were selected as input parameters whereas brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and emission characteristics i.e., HC, CO, NOx and smoke were chosen as response variables. ANOVA was carried out for the responses by utilizing MINITAB software. The higher value of raw data and S/N ratio for BTE was noted with high engine load, low flow rate of biogas and butanol blend percent. For the emission characteristics i.e., HC, CO and smoke, lower raw data and high S/N ratio values were attained in the order of rank engine load > butanol blend percent > biogas flow rate while the similar values for NOx were attained in the rank engine load > biogas flow rate > butanol blend percent. Taguchi design was noted to be an effective tool for the optimization of various response parameters and the optimum levels of input parameters were calculated after analysis. Full engine load for BTE and HC, Biogas flow rate of 15 lpm for BTE, HC and CO, and 20 % of butanol blend for HC, CO and smoke were found to be the optimum conditions for the conducted experimentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on effectively utilizing the biodiesel extracted from Azolla (third-generation biofuel), which is regarded as a renewable energy source, for fueling diesel engines. Biodiesel is unique due to its increased viscosity and different fatty acid composition, which proved difficult to attain better engine performance with a mechanical type injection system. This study expands on the previous investigation in modifying the fuel system when using Azolla biodiesel by using a common rail fuel injection system with wider injection flexibility. Considering the lack of more engine optimization studies for Azolla biodiesel, a parametric study is conducted by changing the fuel injection pressure in the range between 300 bar and 900 bar for diesel engine fueled by B20 (20% Azolla +80% diesel) blend. The experimental engine study revealed that the physical properties of the fuel adversely affect the in-cylinder combustion, which leads to poor engine performance and higher emissions at lower injection pressure (300 bar) for B20 when compared to diesel. As the injection pressure increases, the fuel atomization and other spray characteristics are enhanced and thereby improve the combustion. The Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) for B20 at 900 bar injection pressure is 3% higher than the diesel fuel at 300 bar injection pressure under full load conditions. The HC, CO, and smoke emission in the engine exhaust for B20 at 900 bar injection pressure was reduced by 13.3%, 28.5%, and 12.3%, respectively, when compared to diesel. Overall, this study recommends the operation of Azolla biodiesel blend in diesel at 900 bar fuel injection pressure to attain improved engine characteristics. [Display omitted] • Azolla biodiesel was extracted from Azolla microphylla and blended with diesel in the ratio of 20:80. • Azolla-diesel blend (B20) was tested in a diesel engine at fuel injection pressures varied from 300 to 900 bar. • B20 blend showed improved BTE at higher fuel injection pressure. • CO, HC, and smoke emissions of the B20 blend decreased with increasing fuel injection pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, gasoline engine performance and emission characteristics were studied when powered by diisopropyl ether-gasoline blends. The main objective of this study is to determine the behavior of diisopropyl ether-gasoline blends at various engine speeds and compression ratios. Further, the engine parameters were optimized using the response surface methodology. Enriched oxygen, higher latent heat of vaporization, and the readily volatile nature of the fuel enhanced the brake thermal efficiency and lowered the hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide due to a better combustion rate. The developed model exhibited superior R2 values with a 0.957 desirability factor. The optimum parameters such as speed, compression ratio, and fuel-blend concentrations were found at 2250 rpm, 10:1, and D25 (75% gasoline and 25% diisopropyl ether), respectively. The responses for the optimal input parameters were brake thermal efficiency (31.53%), specific fuel consumption (0.2923 kg/kWh), carbon monoxide (0.14% by Vol.), hydrocarbons (31 ppm), and oxides of nitrogen (708 ppm). The predicted values for optimum engine parameters were validated with the experimental data, and their percentage of absolute error was found to be less than 5%. Thus, the study concludes that diisopropyl-ether gasoline blends can be used as an alternative fuel to enhance the brake thermal efficiency and reduce the pollution level, and the proposed numerical model can predict the responses with high accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]