Effect of EGR Rates on NOx and Smoke Emission of LHRE Diesel Engine Fuelled with Blends of Diesel and Neem Biodiesel-A Review

For the developing country like India dependent on imports of fossil fuels, there is a huge crisis in the making. The real sustainable solution for India lies in a well-planned transition to alternative sources of energy. Among the proposed alternative fuels, biodiesel have received much attention in recent years for diesel engines and could be one remedy in many countries to reduce their oil imports. An attempt has been made to study the performance of twin cylinder water-cooled diesel engine using Neem oil as the fuel was evaluated for its performance of exhaust emissions. For the present study the biodiesel was prepared in laboratory from non-edible vegetable oil (Neem oil) by transesterification process with methanol, where potassium hydroxide (KOH) was used as a catalyst. The stationary diesel engine was run in laboratory at a medium speed, variable load condition experienced in most urban driving conditions and various measurements like fuel flow, exhaust temperature, exhaust emission measurement and exhaust smoke test were carried out. The results indicate improved fuel economy and reduced pollution levels. During performance test it showed reasonable efficiencies, lower smoke, SO2, PM (particulate matter) and CO with some increase in emission of oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is one of the techniques being used to reduce NOX emission from diesel engines; because it decreases both flame temperature and oxygen concentration in the combustion chamber.