Improved performance and reduction in engine emissions by the use of chemical mixture of turmeric leaf oil and diesel blends

In the contemporary world, the rapid depletion of fossil fuels has heightened the demand for alternative fuels. Research is being performed globally to identify biofuels as substitutes for conventional fossil fuels. The automotive industry has expanded significantly, necessitating improved performance of internal combustion engines. The demand for alternative fuels has escalated to meet the requirements of automobile compression ignition engines, including enhanced efficiency and reduced emissions.

The present work is aim to study the performance characteristics of variable Compression Ratio (VCR) Engine using 17.5:1, 18.5:1 and 19.5:1 as the compression ratios with diesel and Turmeric Leaf oil (TLO) and their blends as biofuels by applying various loads as 5kgs to 9kgs. Parameters such as percentage of TLO mixed with diesel, load applied and compression ratios are considered in performing the test on VCR engine to determine their brake thermal efficiency, volumetric efficiency, specific fuel consumptions and emissions such as CO, CO₂, O₂ and unburnt hydro carbons. From the results it is concluded that kinematic viscosity increases from 1.62cSt to 2.88cSt at 43.75% from TLO to B70 blend. When compared between pure diesel and B70 blend, B70 attained 14.79% lower value than pure diesel. Fire point of pure diesel is 70^OC and B70 has 72^OC which is 2.77% higher than pure diesel. And the similar values are attained to the flash point. These values indicate that the biofuel namely TLO blend B70 can be used as an alternative fuel in diesel engine, based on the encouraging results obtained for the above said engine performance parameters.

Keywords: Turmeric Leaf Oil (TLO), Blends, Centistoke (cSt), Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) Engine, Emissions.