Experimental Investigation on Combustion Characteristics of LHR and Conventional Engines Using Tobacco and Cotton Seed Methyl Ester Blend

This study presents an experimental investigation into the combustion characteristics of Tobacco Seed Oil Methyl Ester (TSOME), Cotton Seed Oil Methyl Ester (CSOME) and its blend (TCOME) as alternatives fuel in both conventional and Low Heat Rejection (LHR) engines. The LHR engine, integrating thermal barrier Ni90 insert is inserted on piston crown to enhance combustion efficiency by reducing heat loss. The work focuses on comparing key combustion parameters such as in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate (HRR) for TSOME, CSOME and its blend in both engines across varying load conditions. The experimental results indicate that both biodiesel fuels and its blend demonstrate good combustion characteristics near to conventional diesel. The LHR engine with blend outperformed compare to the conventional engine of higher peak pressures and heat releasing rate compared to CSOME and TSOME. Peak inside cylinder pressure and heat releasing rate occurred for both engines at 80% of load, for LHR engine peak pressure is 10% high and similarly heat releasing rate is 13% high compare to conventional engine. The present work suggests that the combination of LHR engine with blend of TSOME and CSOME offer a viable solution for improving engine combustion efficiency while reducing consumption of conventional fuels.