Production of Green Diesel by Hydrotreatment Using Jatropha Oil: Performance and Emission Analysis

The climate change concerns have necessitated the need for the advancement of biofuels and many countries including India have set targets for the reduction in green house gas emissions. The objective of this paper is to find the suitability of hydrotreated Jatropha curcas oil as fuel in diesel engines. The different blends of jatropha fuels were tested in a Kirloskar 4S diesel engine of 17.5:1 compression ratio, 4.4 kW, at a constant speed of 1500 rpm at various loads. The performance (brake specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency) and emission (CO, HC, CO2, and NOx) data of hydrotreated and transesterified jatropha oils were compared with those of petro diesel. The experimental results for HTJATB25 and HTJATB100 in DI diesel engine showed a decrease in emission with respect to petro diesel viz., (1) CO by 18.75 and 33.33 %, (2) HC by 25.6 and 47.38 %, (3) CO2 by 18.75 and 26.25 %, (4) NOx by 9.09 and 18.18 % respectively and the improved performance in brake thermal efficiency by 10.71 and 19.35, (5) brake specific fuel consumption 9.14 and 17.14 %. Also it is noted that, no engine modifications is required while using hydrotreated vegetable oil as fuel.