Optimization of Operational Parameters of Compression Ignition Engine Using Karanja Oil

This study was undertaken to optimize the operational parameters of a compression ignition (CI) engine so that it could be operated using vegetable oil (Karanja oil) for a longer duration (more than 250 hours) without any modification to the engine components. It was hypothesized that by optimizing engine operating parameters such as compression ratio (CR), fuel injection timing (FIT), and fuel injection pressure (FIP), the performance and emission characteristics of the CI engine could be improved when operated with heated vegetable oil. A single-cylinder, four-stroke, water-cooled, variable compression ratio (VCR), constant-speed (1500 rpm), 3.7 kW direct injection (DI) diesel engine was selected to optimize the compression ratio, fuel injection timing, and fuel injection pressure. The results indicated that at optimized operating conditions (compression ratio of 20:1, fuel injection timing of 27° before top dead center (TDC), fuel injection pressure of 230 bar, and 80% of the rated engine load) with heated Karanja oil (105°C), the engine achieved the best performance with lower emission levels.