A comprehensive analysis of a dual fuel engine operating on cottonseed oil methyl ester and hydrogen

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of hydrogen addition on a compression-ignition (CI) engine that operates on cottonseed oil methyl ester (CSOME). Hydrogen was introduced into the engine inlet manifold at flow rates ranging from 5 Liters per minute (LPM) to 20 LPM, with intervals of 5 LPM (designated as C100H5, C100H10, C100H15, and C100H20). The engine was operated on 100 % Cottonseed Oil Methyl Ester (C100) at various load conditions in a constant speed engine. It was observed that under all load situations, the temperature of the exhaust gas increased as the hydrogen flow rate increased. Maximum of 16.66 % increment in exhaust gas temperature was noted with C100H20 than neat diesel operation. Similarly, as hydrogen induction rates increased, the cut-off ratio, effective compression ratio, and volumetric efficiency all dropped. On the other hand, both brake thermal efficiency and second law efficiency were increased by 16.11 and 13.41 % than neat diesel while operating with C100H20 at 100 % load condition. The peak values for in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate were found to be 4.18 %, and 21.85 % higher than neat diesel for C100H20 with maximum load applied. Nitrogen monoxide emissions increased as a result of the increase in hydrogen induction flow rate by maximum of 40.51 % and then diesel. However, emissions of oxides of carbon (CO and CO₂), hydrocarbons, and soot decreased significantly with the introduction of hydrogen. The results indicate that use of hydrogen in CI engine along with cotton seed oil shows positive sign in terms of performance and emission with trends in NO emission which can further be reduced by adopting EGR or After gas treatment.