P. Baskar

Bio: P. Baskar is an academic researcher from VIT University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Diesel engine & Exhaust gas recirculation. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 21 publications receiving 253 citations.

Experimental investigation on performance characteristics of a diesel engine using diesel-water emulsion with oxygen enriched air

Abstract: Diesel engines occupy a crucial position in automobile industry due to their high thermal efficiency and high power to weight ratio. However, they lag behind in controlling air polluting components coming out of the engine exhaust. Therefore, diesel consumption should be analyzed for future energy consumption and this can be primarily controlled by the petroleum fuel substitution techniques for existing diesel engines, which include biodiesel, alcohol-diesel emulsions and diesel water emulsions. Among them the diesel water emulsion is found to be most suitable fuel due to reduction in particulate matter and NOx emission, besides that it also improves the brake thermal efficiency. But the major problem associated with emulsions is the ignition delay, since this is responsible for the power and torque loss. A reduction in NOx emission was observed due to reduction in combustion chamber temperature as the water concentration increases. However the side effect of emulsified diesel is a reduction in power which can be compensated by oxygen enrichment. The present study investigates the effects of oxygen concentration on the performance characteristics of a diesel engine when the intake air is enriched to 27% of oxygen and fueled by 10% of water diesel emulsion. It was found that the brake thermal efficiency was enhanced, combustion characteristics improved and there is also a reduction in HC emissions.

Hydrogen enriched compressed natural gas (HCNG): A futuristic fuel for internal combustion engines

Abstract: Air pollution is fast becoming a serious global problem with increasing population and its subsequent demands. This has resulted in increased usage of hydrogen as fuel for internal combustion engines. Hydrogen resources are vast and it is considered as one of the most promising fuel for automotive sector. As the required hydrogen infrastructure and refueling stations are not meeting the demand, widespread introduction of hydrogen vehicles is not possible in the near future. One of the solutions for this hurdle is to blend hydrogen with methane. Such types of blends take benefit of the unique combustion properties of hydrogen and at the same time reduce the demand for pure hydrogen. Enriching natural gas with hydrogen could be a potential alternative to common hydrocarbon fuels for internal combustion engine applications. Many researchers are working on this for the last few years and the work is now focused on how to use this kind of fuel to its maximum extent. This technical note is an assessment of hydrogen enriched compressed natural gas usage in case of internal combustion engines. Several examples and their salient features have been discussed. Finally, overall effects of hydrogen addition on an engine fueled with hydrogen enriched compressed natural gas under various conditions are illustrated. In addition, the scope and challenges being faced in this area of research are clearly described.

The effect of two oxygenates on diesel engine emissions

Abstract: Improvement of fuel properties is essential for the suppression of diesel pollutant emissions along with the optimization of combustion-related design factors and exhaust after-treatment equipment. Studies conducted in the past have shown that a significant reduction of pollutants using oxygenates as alcohols, ethers, glycol ethers, methylals and carbonates. The present paper experimentally investigates the influence of oxygenated diesel fuels on the emissions with the use of two different synthetic oxygenated compounds namely Diphenyl ether (DPE) and Diethelene glycol dimethyl ether (DIGLYME). Several diesel fuel blends, which contain 10% and 15% by volume of DPE and DIGLYME, were prepared and the effect of these blends on emission characteristics were studied on a twin cylinder direct injection diesel engine. The blends were tested under the different load conditions and the results shows, there is significant reduction of engine emissions of hydrocarbon and carbon mono oxide emissions while the coefficient of light absorption of smoke opacimeter decreases by about 50% for DPE10, DIGLYME10 blend and it was reduced by about 60%for DPE15 and DIGLYME15 blend .

Material Optimization and Weight Reduction of Drive Shaft Using Composite Material

Abstract: The objective of the drive shaft is to connect with the transmission shaft with the help of universal joint whose axis intersects and the rotation of one shaft about its own axis results in rotation of other shaft about its axis. Shafts must be exceptionally tough and light to improve the overall performance of the vehicle. Automobile industries are exploring composite materials in order to obtain reduction of weight without significant decrease in vehicle quality and reliability. This is due to the fact that the reduction of weight of a vehicle directly impacts its fuel consumption. Particularly in city driving, the reduction of weight is almost directly proportional to fuel consumption of the vehicle. Also at the start of vehicle the most of the power get consumed in driving transmission system, if we able to reduce the weight of the propeller shaft that surplus available power can be used to propel the vehicle. Thus, in this paper, the aim is to replace a two-piece metallic drive shaft by a composite drive shaft. The following materials can be chosen Steel, Boron/Epoxy Composite, Kevlar/Epoxy Composite, Aluminum - Glass/Epoxy Hybrid, Carbon - Glass/Epoxy Hybrid. The analysis was carried out for three different ply orientations of the composites in order to suggest the most suitable ply orientation of the material that would give the maximum weight reduction while conforming to the stringent design parameters of passenger cars and light commercial vehicle.

Effects of physicochemical properties of biodiesel fuel blends with alcohol on diesel engine performance and exhaust emissions: A review

Abstract: In recent years, alternative fuel studies have been conducted thoroughly by researchers through their experimental work Depletion of fossil fuel raised the attention of researchers to investigate renewable energy sources such as biodiesel and alcohol There is a lack of literature review study on the viability of alcohol acting as additive in biodiesel-diesel fuel blends Thus, this review paper studies on the effects of various alcohol additives in biodiesel-diesel fuel blends on combustion behaviour, performance and emission characteristics of diesel engines The physicochemical properties of alcohol and biodiesel are rigorously discussed, in which they are the main factors in determining the quality of the blended fuel The aim of this paper is to identify the potential of alcohol fuel as an additive in the blended biodiesel and diesel fuel in correspond to the type of alcohol, blending ratio and engine operation conditions Wide range of results from previous research studies with different types of compression-ignition engine, different engine operation conditions and varieties of alcohol-biodiesel-diesel fuel blending ratios were collected in this literature review study Combustion behaviour such as coefficient of variations (COV), in-cylinder pressure, ignition delay, heat release rate and combustion duration are presented Low cetane number and high latent heat of vaporization of alcohol cause a longer ignition delay, produce higher rate of heat release and lower in-cylinder pressure when compared with that of diesel fuel Low density and viscosity of alcohol improve the spray characteristics and enhance air-fuel mixing process In terms of engine performance analysis, the presence of oxygen in alcohol fuel promotes a more complete combustion; hence, resulting in an increase of thermal efficiency In turn, emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC) and particulate matter (PM) are decreasing

A Comprehensive Review on Solar Powered Electric Vehicle Charging System

Abstract: Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular in many countries of the world. EVs are proving more energy efficient and environmental friendly than ICEVs. But the lack of charging stati...

A review on the engine performance and exhaust emission characteristics of diesel engines fueled with biodiesel blends.

Abstract: Biodiesels have gained much popularity because they are cleaner alternative fuels and they can be used directly in diesel engines without modifications. In this paper, a brief review of the key studies pertaining to the engine performance and exhaust emission characteristics of diesel engines fueled with biodiesel blends, exhaust aftertreatment systems, and low-temperature combustion technology is presented. In general, most biodiesel blends result in a significant decrease in carbon monoxide and total unburned hydrocarbon emissions. There is also a decrease in carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and total unburned hydrocarbon emissions while the engine performance increases for diesel engines fueled with biodiesels blended with nano-additives. The development of automotive technologies, such as exhaust gas recirculation systems and low-temperature combustion technology, also improves the thermal efficiency of diesel engines and reduces nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions.