Performance and exhaust emission analysis of a variable compression ratio (VCR) dual fuel CI engine fuelled with producer gas generated from pistachio shells

Abstract

Abstract In the current scenario, interest in harvesting energy from non-conventional sources such as biomass has mount due to appalling increase in energy demand. In this research work, performance and emission characteristics of VCR engine operating with PG originated from pistachio shells gasification has been determined. During experimentation, results have been acquired by altering CR and brake power and then compared with standard diesel run results. Apart from emission and performance analysis, engine sound level and diesel saving have also been observed. The maximum diesel substitution of 46.66% has been observed in case of dual mode. In addition, NOX fraction in exhaust during dual mode has been measured as 12.06–37.27% lower than diesel run. The results suggested that brake thermal efficiency (ηbth) of 25.71% and 23.81% have been obtained during diesel and DF run. CO2 emission has been measured in DF mode as 17.62–67.14% (at 3.44\xa0kW brake power) more than diesel run. Under similar conditions, CO emission in diesel mode has been decreased (ranging from 63.06 to 73.37%) when compared with DF run. Further, hydrocarbon emission level in DF mode has been discerned as 473–593% higher when compared with diesel run.