Performance and Emission Analysis of an CI Engine Using Biogas Derived from Kitchen Wastes and its Blend with Diesel Fuel

Abstract

Due to depletion of petroleum fuels, current concern about environmental pollution, stringent emission norms and better opportunities for inexhaustible renewable fuel from waste biomass, Biogas is regarded as a better alternative fuel for IC engine. The current investigation on biogas produced by anaerobic digestion of Kitchen wastes is regarded a promising source of alternative fuel in CI engine due to its better diffusability and higher flammability. The art of conversion of waste biomass collected from Kitchen wastes into pure biogas has been addressed in first part of the paper. An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the use of various blends of biogas with diesel. Due to low cetane number and high auto ignition temperature, biogas was blended with diesel with a proportion of 10% and 20% by volume. Fuel properties of blends are found comparable with those of diesel fuel. Experiment has been conducted with dual fuel mode approach with minimum engine modification with biogas as main fuel and diesel used as pilot fuel. Engine performance is found better at 20% blend of biogas as reported with a reduced exhaust emission of NOx and CO2 as compared to diesel.

Keywords: Biogas, anaerobic digestion, emission, IC engine

JEL Classification: L60