Effect of injection parameters on the performance and emission characteristics of a variable compression ratio diesel engine with plastic oil blends – An experimental study

Due to the depleting fossil fuel reserves and increasing environmental concerns, researchers have been studying the effect of adding different types of oils to diesel and more recently plastic oil. The present paper is an experimental study of the effect of compression ratio and injection parameters such as injection pressures and injection timing on the performance and emission characteristics of a variable compression ratio diesel engine fuelled with blends of plastic oil. Various proportions of ethanol and diesel are blended with plastic oils for the preparation of test fuels. It is observed from the experimental study that P90D5E5 blend gives the highest brake thermal efficiency yielding an increase of 16% and 38% compared with pure diesel and pure plastic oil, respectively. Smoke emissions are found to be the lowest for P90D5E5 than diesel and P100. Brake-specific fuel consumption, carbon monoxide and smoke values are reduced for all blends with an increase in injection timing, pressure and compression ratio. Combustion analysis of the blends indicates higher values of cylinder pressures and net heat release rates for P90D5E5 and P100, respectively.