Title: Application of Taguchi's orthogonal array in reducing the NO_x emission of a stationary diesel engine

Authors: S. Saravanan; G. Nagarajan; R. Ramanujam; S. Sampath

Addresses: Department of Automobile Engineering, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, P.O. Box 3, Pennalur, Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, 602105, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University, Chennai, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, 602105, India. ' Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Thandalam, Chennai, India

Abstract: The main objective of this investigation is to reduce the NO_x emission of a stationary diesel engine with less sacrifice on smoke intensity and brake thermal efficiency (BTE). Fuel injection timing, percentage of EGR and fuel injection pressure are chosen as factors influencing the objective. Three levels were chosen in each factor and design of experiments method was employed to design the experiments. Taguchi|s L9 orthogonal array was used to conduct the engine tests with different levels of the chosen factors. Test results were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) method and ANOVA table was formed for each response variable. From the ANOVA table the most influencing factor and also the significance of each factor affecting the NO_x emission, smoke intensity and BTE was found out. Response graph was drawn for each response variable to determine the optimum combination of the factor levels. This optimum combination was confirmed experimentally. [Received: November 14, 2010; Accepted: March 17, 2011]

Keywords: stationary diesel engines; NOx emissions; smoke density; ANOVA; Taguchi methods; orthogonal array; brake thermal efficiency.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2011.043720

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2011 Vol.4 No.4, pp.398 - 409

Published online: 29 Jan 2015 *

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