Performance and Emission Profile of Micro-Algal Biodiesel in Compression Ignition Engine

Abstract

Abstract. Micro-algae are a large and diverse group of simple typically autotrophic organisms which have the potential to produce greater amounts of non-polar lipids and biomass than most terrestrial biodiesel feedstocks. Having emerged as one of the most promising sources for biodiesel production, they are gaining research interests in the current energy scenario due to their phenomenal growth potential (< 21 days log phase) in addition to relatively high lipids production which are also excellent source of biodiesel. In this study, engine performance and emission profile was performed using biodiesel fuels and blends from micro-algal technology in a compression ignition engine. The technology of micro-algae involved open pond cultivation and the use of photo-bioreactor model BF-115 Bioflo/celli Gen made in the US of 14 litre capacity (200 Lux light intensity) and flowrate of 2.5L/min. The micro-algal species used were Chlorella vulgaris Scenedesmus obliquus, Senechococus spp and Duneliella spp. The biodiesel produced were blended with conventional diesel (AGO) at different proportions. The performance parameters evaluated include: engine power, torque, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), smoke opacity, thermal gravimetry, thermal efficiency, exhaust gas temperatures and lubricity while the varying effects of emission pollutants during combustion were also studied. Results showed that viscosity, density and lubricity have significant effects on engine output power and torque than when throttled with AGO which was used as control. Combustion efficiency and emission profile were better than the AGO due to the oxygenated nature of the micro-algal biodiesel which brought about complete combustion. A striking deduction arrived is that oxygen content of the algal biodiesel had direct influence on smoke opacity and emissions in the engine and also thermo-gravimetrically stable for other thermal applications. The engine tests (BSFC, BTE, ThE, MechE, EGT) and overall emissions (CO 2 , CO, VOCs, HC, SOx, NOx) were within acceptable limits and comparable with AGO. The implication of the study is that Micro-algal technology is feasible and can revolutionize development in biodiesel industry.

A Review of Low-CO2 Emission Fuels for a Dual-Fuel RCCI Engine

“…There is widespread research on the possibility of using oils of biological origins [13]. Such sources of their origins, given by [14], include oils made of pongamia [15], algae [16], jatrophy [17], rice [18], mushrooms [19], coffee grounds [20], palm trees [4], coconuts, peanuts, soybeans, linseeds, and olives [12]; animal fat and sources of waste [21]; plastic [22]; used tires [23] and other rubber products [24]; used oil [25], especially used engine oil [26], transformer oil [27] and vegetable oil and sunflower oils [28]; municipal sewage [14]; and intermediates from various technological processes, such as pyrolytic oil [29]. The plants and fruits most commonly used to produce biofuels are shown in Figure 4.…”