Relative performance of a direct ignition diesel engine using biodiesel as fuel under Magnetic Fuel Conditioner

Abstract

This paper discusses the effect of using waste-cooking-oil-biodiesel with/without the use of Magnetic Fuel Conditioner (MFC) on the performance and emission characteristics of a 4-stroke, direct injection, water-cooled compression ignition engine at full load. Waste cooking oil obtained from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology cafeteria at the University of Jordan was converted to biodiesel through the process of transesterification. The product was first tested for its required properties and compared with those for petrodiesel. Then the engine was run with pure diesel and biodiesel to set the reference performance. After that, the MFC was installed and the same experiment was repeated on both fuels. The engine speed was varied between 1000 to 2500 rpm. Higher values were not possible due to excessive engine vibration and leakage in the exhaust. It was found that brake torque, brake power, brake mean effective pressure and the thermal efficiency of diesel fuel performed better than biodiesel, while with the effect of MFC, both fuels performed much better. Whereas, the brake specific fuel consumption for diesel fuel was lower than biodiesel, while with the effect of magnet, both fuels showed improvement in the reduction of MFC. Furthermore, it was concluded that there was a favorable effect of using MFC on engine exhaust emissions.