Multi-response optimization on the gasification of cocoa pod (Theobroma cacao) husk and its performance in a multi-fuel engine.

Partial replacement of conventional fuel in IC engines with gaseous biofuels from biomass is one of the best options to implement biomass in decentralized power generation. In this work, a compression ignition engine, which is generally used in small-scale power generation, has been tested to work on diesel and producer gas of cocoa pod husks (CPH). The engine was modified to work with dual-fuel as well as multiple compression ratios. The central composite design has been used for the optimization of operating and performance parameters. At CR 18, performance parameters such as BTE and DRR were high, whereas the BSFC and SEC were low. During the DF mode, the overall diesel replacement was 72.57%. Moreover, the brake thermal efficiencies were 22.18% and 27.17% for CR 12 and CR 18, respectively. At optimum conditions, the CO, NO_x, HC, and smoke emissions were 0.17 vol%, 250.06 ppm, 19.94 ppm, and 22.81%, respectively. The performance of the engine showed that CPH could be a potential feedstock to supply cleaner gaseous fuel for the dual-fuel operation. Moreover, the prediction from the study suggested that response surface methodology could be an appropriate approach to evaluate the optimum working conditions of dual-fuel engine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]