EXHAUST GAS ANALYSIS OF DIESEL - CADOBA FARINOSA FORSKK BIO-ETHANOL BLENDED FUEL SAMPLES RUNNING ON COMPRESSION IGNITION ENGINE

The world is facing declining liquid fuel reserves at a time when energy demand is exploding. As the supply decreases and costs rise, everyone will be forced to adopt the alternative energy resources. In order to achieve a secure and stable energy supply that does not cause environmental damage, renewable energy sources must be explored and promising technologies should be developed. This study investigates the effects of exhaust gases of diesel-Cadoba farinosa forskk bio-ethanol blended fuel samples run on a compression ignition engine. The test fuels were prepared; BDE2 (97% Diesel and 2% bio-ethanol volumetric proportion), BDE4, BDE6, BDE8 and BDE10 with 1% biodiesel (palm oil methyl esters) was maintained throughout to prevent phase separation of the ethanol and diesel respectively. The engine performance and exhaust gas analysis were also conducted to investigate the effect of bio-ethanol as diesel fuel extender, with a TD110-115 single-cylinder, four-stroke and air-cooled, compression ignition engine test rig, under different loading conditions, and incorporated with an SV-5Q automobile exhaust gas analyzer was used to monitor and measure the concentration of gaseous emissions, such as; exhaust gas temperature (EGT), carbon dioxide (CO ₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and unburned hydrocarbon (HC) from the engine tail pipe. Results of the test revealed an appreciable increase in exhaust gas temperature of 16.66% due to the rise in cylinder pressure and temperature respectively. An appreciable decrease in HC, CO and CO ₂ 15.7%, 37.5% and 15% respectively emissions was recorded for all blended fuel samples with the exception of diesel. While, the least CO and CO ₂ emission levels were observed for BDE10 fuel samples. On the account of its satisfactory engine performance behavior, fuel conservation advantages, and inherent greenhouse gas mitigation potentials, the candidacy of Cadoba Farinosa Forskk bio-ethanol and diesel blends, offers the promise of a prospective fuel for compression ignition engines.