Performance and emission characteristics of a DI-CI engine operated with n-butanol/diesel blends

The fast depletion of fossil fuels is driving the research toward renewable fuels. Alcohols, which can be produced from agricultural wastes such as sugarcane bagasse and corn stalks, appear to be promising renewable fuels. Among the different alcohols, butanol which is higher chain alcohol is considered in this study. This study deals with the emission and performance characteristics of a direct injection (DI)-compression ignition (CI) engine operating with different butanol/diesel blends. Experiments were conducted with different butanol/diesel blends, with the butanol proportion in the blend varying from 0 to 50% percentage (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%-by volume designated as Bu00, Bu10, Bu20, Bu30, Bu40, and Bu50). The engine performance with different butanol/diesel blends was compared to the engine performance with pure diesel. The experimental results revealed that as the fraction of butanol in the blend is increased, the emissions of CO, soot, and NOx decreased, whereas the unburned hydrocarbons (UBHC) emissions increased. Similarly, brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of the engine slightly improved with increase in the butanol fraction in the blend compared with diesel operation.