PERFORMANCE AND EMISSIONS CHARACTERISTICS OF DIRECT INJECTION DIESEL ENGINE FUELED WITH APRICOT SEED BIODIESEL AND DIESEL

In this experimental work, the main objective is to analyze the performance of an IC Engine using Apricot seed biodiesel as a fuel at various engine loads. Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) seed kernel oil was transesterified with methanol using potassium hydroxide as catalyst to obtain apricot seed kernel oil methyl ester .This work discusses about how the engine performs when this blends are used as a fuel. Several engine parameters such as specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency were investigated. The results indicated that the brake thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency of B10 are nearer to neat diesel. Apricot seed kernel oil methyl ester and its blends can be successfully used in diesel engines without any modification. Lower concentration of apricot seed kernel oil methyl ester in blends gives equal performance as engine run by diesel and reduction in exhaust emissions. Therefore lower percent of apricot seed kernel oil methyl ester can be used as additive.