Title: Production, characterisation, comparison, and performance of algae biodiesel as an eco-friendly fuel

Authors: Alpesh Virendrabhai Mehta; Nirvesh Sumanbhai Mehta

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, Government Engineering College, Godhra, Gujarat, India ' Mechanical Engineering Department, Government Engineering College, Dahod, Gujarat, India

Abstract: Energy hunger is increasing drastically due to industrialisation and improvement in the living standards of the citizens causes global warming, pollution, and related issues. If the same pattern for the utilisation of fossil fuels continues, resources of petroleum-based fuel can be drained in the next few years with ascend in environmental issues. Hence, the researchers are putting their best efforts into exploring alternative sources for energy generation. The current research talks about the selection and justifications of algae as a fuel, design, and development of fast pyrolyser for biodiesel production, fuel characterisation, and performance test on an FCR (fixed compression ratio) diesel engine with blending ratio varies from B0, B20, B50, and B100. At B100, the diesel engine gives its best performance at full load with a compression ratio of 16 (brake thermal efficiency = 11.5%, BSFC = 0.7609 kg/kW-hr). Results of exhaust gas analysis for B100 and B20 are also cited which satisfy the prevailing emission norms. The least emission of greenhouse gases is observed using algae biodiesel. Thus, algae biodiesel can be the most promising eco-friendly fuel for solutions to current global issues.

Keywords: FCR engine; uncertainty analysis; biodiesel; algae; eco-friendly fuel.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRET.2021.115283

International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology, 2021 Vol.12 No.2, pp.177 - 200

Received: 25 Jun 2020
Accepted: 15 Feb 2021
Published online: 26 May 2021 *

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