J. Thangaraja

Bio: J. Thangaraja is an academic researcher from VIT University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Diesel fuel & Biodiesel. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 18 publications receiving 296 citations. Previous affiliations of J. Thangaraja include Indian Institute of Technology Madras.

Biodiesel NOx penalty and control measures - a review

Abstract: Biodiesel fuels comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats serve as a potential alternative to fossil diesel. The biodiesel fueled engine does not require any major hardware modifications in the existing configuration. Also, the uses of biodiesel in compression ignition engines are found to significantly lower soot emissions. Thus, the conventional nitric oxide-soot trade-off problem narrows down to a unidirectional control of nitric oxide emissions which are generally known to increase with several candidate biodiesel fuels. The formation of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from biodiesel fuel is dependent on both fuel and engine characteristics. The present work reviews the effect of biodiesel fuel composition and properties on NOx emissions emanating from biodiesel fueled engines and describes fuel modifications and engine tuning measures for their mitigation. The other outcomes of biodiesel NOx control measures in terms of engine performance and emission changes are also highlighted and the best possible ways for achieving biodiesel-NOx neutrality are outlined.

Effect of pilot and post fueling on the combustion and emission characteristics of a light-duty diesel engine powered with diesel and waste cooking biodiesel blend

Abstract: Biodiesel produced from waste resources provides both environmental and economic benefits. The use of biodiesel blends in tandem with advanced fuel injection strategies enables effective control ov...

Combustion, performance and emission characteristics of blends of methyl esters and modified methyl esters of karanja and waste cooking oil on a turbocharged CRDI engine

Abstract: Ester composition plays a vital role in altering the fuel property, affecting the diesel engine output characteristics. One of the major issues with biodiesel composition is the presence of polyunsaturated methyl esters in its molecule, which lowers the cetane number and increases the nitric oxide emission. Here, the authors have attempted to modify the ester composition of biodiesel fuels in favor of engine characteristics. The ester compositions were modified through partial hydrogenation process using Pd/C as the catalyst, and the end product is termed as modified methyl esters or partially hydrogenated esters. The 1H NMR spectral data were used to calculate the conversion efficiency of hydrogenation process. Therefore, this paper presents a comprehensive experimental investigation for analyzing the combustion and emission characteristics of methyl esters and modified methyl esters in an automotive diesel engine. The turbocharged CRDI engine was operated at 2250 rpm under four engine loads with 20% (by vol.) blends of methyl ester and modified methyl esters. The test fuels include the baseline diesel, karanja and waste cooking oil. Upon partial hydrogenation, the ester composition changed significantly and lowered the polyunsaturation with a corresponding increase in the saturation factor. A significant difference in ignition delay and nitric oxide emission were observed with a marginal increase in efficiency for the modified methyl esters compared to the blends of methyl esters.

A comprehensive review on performance, combustion and emission characteristics of biodiesel fuelled diesel engines

Abstract: Direct injection diesel engines are more popular in the automotive sector than spark ignition (SI) engines due to its fuel lean operation However, the demand of fossil fuel is rising day by day and hence the major fuel source of diesel engine, the petroleum based fuel, is depleting rapidly Many countries depend mainly on imported fossil fuels due to lack of fuel reserves and it has great impact on the economy In addition to this, the major concerns of diesel engine are its oxides of nitrogen and smoke emissions Therefore, for the past several decades extensive efforts are being made to search for alternate fuels to overcome the dependence on fossil fuel and environment pollution In this regard, several alternate fuels namely hydrogen, oxygenated fuels like alcohol fuels, dimethyl ether and biodiesel fuels etc, have been extensively analysed Recent studies show that biodiesel is one of the most promising alternate fuels for diesel engines because of its biodegradable, oxygenated, sulphur free and renewable characteristics Hence, it is getting the attention of researchers all over the world The blends of biodiesel with fossil diesel have many benefits like reduction in emissions, lower engine wear, lesser engine oil consumption and comparable thermal efficiency vis-a-vis diesel fuel Exhaustive experimental works have been carried out to analyse the suitability of biodiesel fuel as alternate fuel and to explore their advantages in diesel engines Hence, this paper is attempted to present a comprehensive review on the performance, combustion and emission characteristics of some important biodiesel fuels on diesel engines This comprehensive review on the published literature will be helpful to the researchers to understand the state-of-the-art technology of the biodiesel fuelled compression ignition engine

A review on low temperature combustion engines: Performance, combustion and emission characteristics

Abstract: Low temperature combustion (LTC) is a recent engine technology that can reduce the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and soot emissions simultaneously while maintaining higher thermal efficiency. The present review work investigates the performance, emission and combustion characteristics of LTC mode engines. Partially premixed LTC (PPLTC), homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI), premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI) and reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) modes are researched under LTC mode. In recent decades, different engine strategies have been employed to reduce exhaust emissions and to enhance thermal efficiency. Exhaust gas recirculation, variable valve timing (VVT), advanced fuel injection technologies are adapted to achieve LTC mode in internal combustion (IC) engines to get improved outcomes. This review highlights the properties of fuels, fuel supply systems, valve actuation mechanisms, engine operating conditions and its effects on the engine characteristics. This review provides a perspective plan to the researchers for enhancing the performance, emission and combustion behavior of an engine by using LTC mode with lower NOx and soot emissions. Among LTC mode engines, RCCI mode engine operates well in 60% load, 60% premixed ratio, 35:1 air-fuel ratio and 56% brake thermal efficiency within the combustion phasing control.