Plant oils (Dewaxed & Degummed) as a fuel for diesel engine

A multi cylinder naturally aspirated diesel engine with matching alternator was operated successfully with dual fuel (diesel, blended dewaxed degummed Jatropha oil/karanja oil/rice bran oil). Its performance was verified through extensive, short (6 hours) and long duration trials (200 hours). Study reveals that CI engine can be run satisfactorily without any change in engine using up to 10% blending of dewaxed degummed plant oil (directly and without preheating) with diesel; but above that preheating of the blend of dewaxed degummed plant oil with diesel is necessary. Preheating of the blended fuel (above 10% blending) at 60ºC is required to reduce the viscosity of blend. Maximum blending of plant oil with diesel depends upon the quality of the plant oil. In case of refined plant oil, blending may be as high as 75%.