Experimental reduction of NO_x and HC emissions in a CI engine fuelled with methyl ester of neem oil using p-phenylenediamine antioxidant

Abstract

Biodiesel, a renewable substitute to conventional diesel and offers cleaner combustion including reduced particulate matter, carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon emissions. However, several studies point to increase in NO_x emissions for biodiesel fuel compared with conventional diesel fuel. In this paper, the experimental investigation of the effect of antioxidant additive (p-phenylenediamine) on NO_x and HC emissions in a methyl ester of neem oil fuelled direct injection diesel engine has been reported. The antioxidant additive is mixed in various concentrations (0.010 to 0.040 % (w/w)) with methyl ester of neem oil and was tested in computerized 4-stroke water-cooled single cylinder diesel engine of 3.5 kW rated power. Results show that the antioxidant additive is effective in controlling the NO_xand HC emissions of methyl ester of neem oil fuelled diesel engines.