Performance analysis of a biodiesel fuelled diesel engine with the effect of alumina coated piston

Biodiesel is one of the best alternative fuels to Diesel engine among other sources due to having potential to reduce emissions. Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable and environment friendly fuel in nature. The advantages of biodiesel are lower exhaust gas emissions and its biodegradability and renewability compared with petroleum-based diesel fuel. The energy of the biodiesel can be released more efficiently with the concept of semi adiabatic (thermal barrier coated piston) engine. The objective of this study is to investigate the performance and emission characteristics of a single cylinder direct injection Diesel engine using 25% biodiesel blend (rubber seed oil methyl ester) as fuel with thermal barrier coated piston. Initially the piston crown was coated with alumina (Al2O3) of thickness of 300 micron (0.3 mm) by plasma coating method. The results revealed that the brake thermal efficiency was increased by 4% and brake specific fuel consumption was decreased by 9% for B25 with coated piston compared to un-coated piston with diesel. The smoke, CO, and HC emissions were also decreased for B25 blend with coated piston compared with the uncoated piton engine. The combustion characteristics such as peak pressure, maximum rate of pressure rise, and heat release rate were increased and the ignition delay was decreased for B25 blend for the coated piston compared with diesel fuel.