Thermal behavior of diesel, honge oil methyl ester and ITS B-20 blend in atmospheric air and oxygen

Abstract

Thermal behavior of honge oil methyl ester (HOME) and its B-20 blend (20% HOME and 80% diesel) is examined by performing calorimetric experiments at 10°C/min heating rate in atmospheric air and oxygen medium. Thermogravitometry (TG) curves indicate two phases of decomposition for diesel and three phases for biofuel. Combustion reaction favors in oxidative atmosphere causing reduction in fuel preparation stage and increase in premixed burning phase reducing peak temperature of combustion and increasing enthalpy with high heat release rate. B-20 blend performance is similar to diesel with combustion index and intensity of combustion and is thermally stable with high offset temperature confirming more combustion duration. Blend of diesel lowers activation energy in initial stage of combustion process, whereas reverse trend is observed in final stage. Ignition index (Di) in air for diesel, HOME, and its B-20 blend is reduced by 70.11%, 34.92% and 42.80% respectively. Burnout index (Db) in air for diesel and B-20 blend reduced by 72% and 61% respectively whereas it increased by 28.5% for HOME. Combustion index (S) is more in air for HOME and its blend. Improved intensity of combustion is observed for diesel and B-20 blend in oxygen whereas reverse trend is observed for HOME.

Keywords

• activation energy
• combustion
• differential scanning calorimetry
• thermogravitometry
• thermal stability