Title: Energy and exergy analyses of a CI engine fuelled with palm biodiesel based on experimental data

Authors: Rahul Dev Misra; Jibanananda Jena; M.S. Murthy

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology, Silcahr, Assam 788010, India ' Mechanical Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology, Silcahr, Assam 788010, India ' Mechanical Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology, Silcahr, Assam 788010, India

Abstract: Only energy analysis is not enough to define the best efficiencies of any system, so exergy analysis uses to understand and improve the actual efficiencies of the whole system. Energy analysis identified the energy losses but could neither identify the irreversible losses nor their location. These are, however, could be clearly explained with the application of exergy analysis. In this study both energy and exergy analyses were performed in a single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 7 bhp, water cooled diesel engine fuelled with petrodiesel as a base fuel and palm biodeisel. The objectives of the analyses are to determine whether the fuel made any significant difference on the efficiencies of the engine. The fuel exergy, exergy loss due to exhaust gases, exergy loss due to cooling water, exergy destruction, and exergetic efficiency of the engine are obtained by using the experimental data at steady-state condition. The results of tested biodiesel showed a similar type energetic performance as petrodiesel fuel.

Keywords: palm biodeisel; fuel exergy; exergy loss; exergy destruction; exergetic efficiency; energy analysis; exergy analysis; petrodiesel; CI engines; diesel engines; biofuels; compression-ignition engines.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2013.055784

International Journal of Exergy, 2013 Vol.13 No.1, pp.124 - 139

Received: 21 Nov 2012
Accepted: 19 Jan 2013

Published online: 08 Aug 2013 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article