Performance evaluation of biodiesel (pongamia or karanj oil) as an alternative fuel for diesel engine

In the recent past years, Biodiesel as an alternative fuel is explored along with their desirable fuel characteristics because it is a nontoxic, biodegradable and renewable fuel with the potential to reduce engine emissions. Karanj (pongamia) oil known as Biodiesel, is receiving an attention as an alternative fuel for diesel engine. In the present paper various properties of biodiesel are discussed and also show the evaluation and comparison in relation to that of conventional diesel oil. Investigation were carried out by using Karanj oli Methyl Ester as well as blend of varying proportion of KME (Karanj oil Methyl Ester) and diesel were used to run a four stroke diesel engine. Initially experiment was carried out on the engine at different loads using diesel to have a base line data, and significant improvements in engine performance characteristics were observed. This paper also shows the production method, advantage, and disadvantages of other biodiesel.