Technical Paper
Wear Assessment in a Karanja Oil Methyl Ester Biodiesel Fueled 38.8 L Military CIDI Engine
2011-04-12
2011-01-1192
Karanja biodiesel is prepared using Karanja oil and methanol by the process of transesterification. Use of Karanja oil methyl ester (KOME) in a 780 hp CIDI military engine was found to be a highly compatible alternative fuel with low emission characteristics. Engine was operated for 100 hours each using pure karanja biodiesel and mineral diesel fuel, respectively. These were subjected to long-term endurance tests. Lubricating oil samples, drawn from both fuelled engine after a fixed interval of 20 hours, were subjected to elemental analysis. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was done for quantification of various metal debris concentrations. Wear metals were found lower for a biodiesel operated engine system. Lubricating oil samples were also subjected to ferrography indicating lower wear debris concentrations for a biodiesel-operated engine. Scanning electron microscopy was also conducted on the cylinder liner surfaces exposed to wear.