Jose Moncada

Indirect Combustion Technology With Renewable Non-Edible Transesterified Oil Feedstock

This investigation focused on the combustion and performance of an indirect injection (IDI) diesel engine powered by a non-edible biodiesel blend, Brassica Carinata. This oilseed has become an attractive non-edible feedstock for biodiesel in the United States, given potential agronomical advantages. A small bore, single cylinder IDI engine was run at 2000 rpm and 5.5 bar indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) using ultra-low sulfur diesel #2 (ULSD#2) and compared with C50, a 50% Carinata biodiesel-ULSD#2 blend (by mass). The apparent heat release for C50 reached a maximum of 22.04 J/deg which was 6.3 % lower and peaked 1.80 CAD before ULSD#2. The radiation and convection heat fluxes had similar maximum values of 0.62 MW/m2 and 1.34 MW/m2, respectively. The brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of C50 was 211.05 g/kWh, which was 9% higher than for ULSD#2. The mechanical efficiency was maintained relatively constant at 55% while the indicated thermal efficiency of the engine reached 59%. Both fuels produced similar nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions with ULSD#2 and C50 producing 2.29 g/kWh and 2.23 g/kWh, respectively. The results indicate that the IDI engine can optimally work with concentrations up to 50% biodiesel.Copyright

Combustion Performance, Noise, and Vibrations of an IDI Engine Fueled With Carinata Biofuel

The performance of an indirect injection engine fueled with a biodiesel blend was investigated at 2400 rpm and 6 bar IMEP. The single cylinder experimental engine was run using C50 and compared to a ULSD#2 baseline. Brassica carinata oilseed was studied as it can potentially provide improvements for existing fuel infrastructures. Cylinder pressure data for C50 showcased a lower heat release and slightly higher injection pressure due to higher SMD. Brake specific fuel consumption was 6% higher for C50 given the characteristic LHV of biodiesel. Vibrations and sound measurements were analyzed in the frequency and crank angle domain through the Bruel & Kjaer PULSE software platform. Sound pressure correlations were determined according to the piston normal force on the cylinder liner, intake and exhaust valve timing, and operating speed. For both fuels, vibrations parallel to the cylinder axis reached 1.6–2.6 m/s2 in the 40–120 Hz frequency range; noise reached 80–87 dB at frequencies of 1–4 kHz. C50 produced 0.4 g/kWh fewer NOx emissions which correlate to a lower maximum bulk gas temperature and richer air-fuel ratio. The average ringing intensity was 0.05 MW/m2 for both fuels due to a comparable pressure rise rate. When the engine was run with C50, the reference mechanical efficiency of 53% was effectively maintained. This offers validation for further implementation of blended biodiesel fuel in IDI engines.Copyright