Performance Evaluation of Algae Oil -Gasoline Blends in Variable Compression Ratio Spark Ignition Engine

Abstract

In this study, set of experiments have been performed by using raw algae oil and petrol in an IC engine. The effect of varying load on the engine at constant speed and the influence of algae oil on a variable compression ratio spark ignition engine have been illustrated. Raw algae oil derived from algae and after the transesterification process has been blended at 5%, 10% and 15% by volume with gasoline. The experiments were conducted at three different 6, 8 and 10 compression ratios. The performance parameters by using algae oil were compared with gasoline like Brake specific fuel consumption, Brake thermal efficiency, Exhaust gas temperature. Algae fuel has shown enhancement in the brake specific fuel consumption and reduction in brake thermal efficiency. Algae oil has shown the promising characteristic of reducing the friction losses in the engine as it has higher density in comparison to petrol.