Impact of Methyl Esters of Mustard and Argemone Injection Along with Compressed Natural Gas Induction in A Dual Fuel Engine by Varying Induction Gas Rates

Abstract

The study of alternative fuels for Internal Combustion (IC) engines has intensified owing to the rising demand for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. This study investigates the performance, combustion characteristics, and emissions of a Dual-Fuel (DF) diesel engine using biodiesel derived from mustard and argemone oils as the pilot fuel, with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as the primary fuel. CNG was introduced at flow rates ranging from 0.15 to 0.60 kg/h to assess its effect on engine behavior. A B20 blend of Mustard oil Methyl Ester (MME) and Argemone oil Methyl Ester (AME) was prepared via transesterification. Experiments were conducted on a single-cylinder, four-stroke, direct-injection diesel engine at full load with varying CNG induction rates, while key parameters such as Brake-Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC), Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE), and emissions (CO, HC, NOx, and smoke opacity) were measured and analyzed. The findings showed that proper CNG induction improved the performance and decreased total emissions, including smoke and CO, as a result of improved mixing and leaner burning. More unburned hydrocarbons were the results of high CNG flow, though. Blends of AME and MME performed similarly to regular diesel, with MME-CNG combinations producing marginally higher thermal efficiency.