Performance, emission and net energy analysis of a diesel genset using producer gas from jatropha press-cake in dual fuel mode

Date of Publication

2016

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

College

Gokongwei College of Engineering

Department/Unit

Mechanical Engineering

Thesis Adviser

Jose Bienvenido Manuel M. Biona

Defense Panel Chair

Archie B. Maglaya

Defense Panel Member

Laurence A. Gan Lim
Neil Stephen A. Lopez

Abstract/Summary

The by-product of Jatropha biodiesel production which is Jatropha press-cake has a potential to be used as a direct feedstock in a gasification process. A throatless downdraft gasifier had been used to convert the press-cakes into producer gas. This study focus on the use of producer gas derived from Jatropha press-cake as an alternative fuel in a diesel genset in dual fuel mode operation. The emission and performance were investigated through a combination of parameter settings at diesel injection timing of 6, 9, and 12 degrees BTDC, gas flowrates of 0, 10, and 20 kg/h, and electrical load of 1, 1.5 and 2 kW.

Genset performance were defined according to diesel consumption rate (DCR), equivalence ratio (ER), specific fuel consumption (SFC), thermal efficiency (TE), and exhaust gas temperature. In general, performance was found to be lower in dual fuel mode operation than running the engine in diesel only. This was due to the low calorific value of the producer gas which is equal to 4.702 MJ/kg as analyzed by CRL corp. Also, the emission level for HC, CO, CO2, and NOx were higher for dual fuel operation. Individual and overall optimization had been implemented using response surface methodology, central composite design.

A comparison of net energy analysis of Jatropha biodiesel production coupled with press-cake gasification and direct gasification of Jatropha seed from the result of previous study shows that NEB and NER were higher for biodiesel and producer gas derived from press-cake.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Accession Number

CDTG006353

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

1 computer optical disc. 4 3/4 in.

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