Combustion and emission characteristics of an esterified linseed oil-fuelled variable compression ratio diesel engine

Purpose The purpose of this study is to get much insight about the combustion and emission characteristics of partially processed high free fatty acid linseed oil, i.e. esterified linseed oil (ELO), and diesel fuel in a single-cylinder compression ignition engine. Design/methodology/approach The variable compression ratio (CR) diesel engine (3.5 kW) of CR ranging from 12:1 to 18:1 is used for the experimentation purpose. In this study, CR varied from 16:1 to 18:1 for investigating the combustion and emissions characteristics of ELO. Various features such as combustion pressure, net heat release rate and mean gas temperature are analysed. The emission characteristics such as hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are investigated with different loads and CRs. The effect of an ambient temperature condition is also reported. Findings Results from this investigation reveal that the burning of ELO is found to be advanced for all CRs as compared to diesel fuel, whereas these features were found to be lower for a CR of 17. Emissions of ELO are found to be higher at all loads and CRs. Overall, this study provides a necessary framework to enhance further research in this area. Originality/value This investigation shows that ELO has better combustion in the first phase of combustion. However, the exhaust emissions of ELO have higher value due to improper combustion in the second and subsequent phase of combustion due to higher viscosity.