Effect of hydrogen induction on biodiesel from food industry waste – RSM based optimization and engine performance – An experimental study

Global broiler meat production has skyrocketed as the human population has grown. In this paper the waste chicken products like skin, fats and other remains collected from the poultry market in Ghazipur, India were taken as raw material for the production of Biodiesel using the transesterification method. Even though this method is cheaper and more efficient for Biodiesel production, several factors affect the yield of the product. The factors considered for optimization were methanol to oil ratio, stirring time, stirring temperature and settling time. In order to find the best combination of all the parameters the biodiesel production was optimized by using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) technique and the maximum yield was obtained at about 95.26 %. Tests were conducted in single cylinder CI engine to evaluate the performance and emission characteristics of biodiesel. Biodiesel was blended in various ratios (5–20 %) by volume with diesel and tests were conducted with varying load conditions. It was observed that poor performance was observed with biodiesel due to poor physical properties like high viscosity and low calorific value. To enhance the combustion, hydrogen was inducted at different mass rates until knock limit with 20 % blend of CHB (Chicken biodiesel) with diesel. A significant improvement in performance was observed with hydrogen induction with lower HC, CO and smoke emissions. However, NO emission were on high side. Brake thermal efficiency was improved by about 12 % at maximum load at maximum hydrogen substitution. With 15 % hydrogen induction , Brake Thermal Efficiency improved by 11 % , Specific Fuel Consumption decreased by 36 % , and smoke emissions were reduced by 14 % compared to CHB20 at maximum load. • Biodiesel was produced from chicken waste and characterized using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy techniques. • RSM optimized production using variables like temperature, time, settling period, and catalyst type. • Hydrogen induction (15 %) improved brake thermal efficiency by 11 % at full engine load. • Specific fuel consumption dropped by 36 % with hydrogen-enhanced CHB20 biodiesel. • Smoke emissions decreased by 14 % under maximum load with hydrogen-blended biodiesel.