Karanja (Pongamia pinnata) biodiesel blend B5 as internal combustion engine fuel

In this study, fuel characteristics of biodiesel abstracted from Karanja (Pongamia pinnata) were evaluated and compared with petroleum diesel. Various fuel properties such as density, viscosity, calorific value, ash content, cloud point, pour points, induction period and flash point were evaluated according to ASTM standards. A (5% v/v) blend of biodiesel and petroleum diesel were used to run a diesel engine and their performances were investigated and compared in terms of fuel power, indicated power, brake power, frictional power, brake thermal efficiency, indicated thermal efficiency, volumetric efficiency, relative efficiency, mean effective pressure, fuel consumption, specific fuel consumption, air consumption and specific output. The objective of this study is to evaluate the various fuel properties of Karanja biodiesel so as to study its applicability as internal combustion engine fuels, and to evaluate the performance parameters of an engine running on it. Such a study will be helpful in suggestion the suitability of using a 5% blended biodiesel for engine application. Usefulness of these results is that to run diesel engine with a mix of biodiesel (i.e. 5% blending) to substitute some amount of diesel.