Jatropha Curcas Oil Combustion in Internal Combustion Engines Under Oxy-Fuel Conditions: A Review

Abstract

The world is facing a two-fold energy crisis; depletion of non-renewable energy sources and pollutant emissions from fossil fuel use. It is therefore necessary to come up with renewable energy resources in addition to coming up with efficient methods of utilizing the available energy resources. To curb this, renewable energy sources such as the use of Jatropha oil has been fronted to be used in internal and external combustion engines. The objective of the study was to analyze the properties of jatropha oil. Combustion characteristics of the oil under air/fuel and oxy/fuel environment was studied. Laboratory experiments as well as system modelling was done. ANSY-Effluent simulation software was used. Literature has shown that Jatropha curcas oil has comparable physiochemical properties as those of diesel oil and therefore it is a suitable substitute for the fossil fuel in both internal and external combustion engines. Combustion of Jatropha oil in an oxy-fuel conditions led to a 26% NOx reduction as well as up to 70 % heat loss reduction as compared to that of the air/fuel combustion. The spray flame and emissions of Jatropha -diesel blends burning in oxy-fuel conditions showed that the emission parameters and flame temperature are higher in diesel than in diesel/jatropha blends by figures in the range of 18 %