Combustion, performance and emission characteristics of a CI engine using Borassus flabellifer biodiesel blends

Borassus flabellifer methyl esters (BFMEs) have a few attractive characteristics that make them a potential rival to diesel and other alternative fuels. This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of its performance, combustion, and emission characteristics in a diesel engine. In addition to a high calorific value, a high cetane number, and the availability of oxygen, constituting 10% of its total weight, it is also readily available. Experimental testing of BFMEs was conducted on a single-cylinder compression ignition (CI) engine in this stage. BFMEs were blended with diesel at various concentrations (20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%). Blends of BFMEs were experimentally examined for their combustion properties, emissions, and performance. The CI engine was set to steady-state operation so that it would reach the optimum temperature for the conditions in which it was operating. Initially, it was found that neat BFMEs had the lowest thermal efficiency, while BFME20, BFME40, BFME60, and BFME80 all had a higher brake thermal efficiency (BTE) than BFME100 at rated load conditions (by 5.1%, 2.8%, 2.0%, and 1.4%, respectively). Compared to other blends, BFME20 and BFME40 have better fuel efficiency. Fuel efficiency was improved by a reasonable amount, and BFME20's consumption was reduced by 5.1% compared to BFME100. Compared to diesel, hydrocarbons, CO, and smoke emissions from BFME20 were reduced by 9.9%, 5.8%, and 3.71%, respectively. These results underscore the potential of low-ratio BFME blends as cleaner and more efficient biodiesel alternatives, highlighting BFME?s practical applicability in existing diesel engines without major modifications.