Study of Performance and Emissions of a Dual Fuel Engine Run with Cotton Stalks and Diesel

Abstract

The performance and emission parameters of the gasifier engine system are analyzed by running the engine for different cotton stalks particle size distribution and at different load conditions. The capacity of the gasifier is 10 kW. The system is experimentally optimized with respect to maximum diesel savings in the dual fuel mode operation while using the cotton stalks as biomass. The performance and emission parameters of the dual fuel engine are compared with that of diesel engine at different load conditions. In the dual fuel mode of operation the diesel consumption reduced to 50% in dual fuel when producer gas from cotton stalks is used with diesel in comparison to diesel only. Nitrous oxide level is 20% lower in the dual mode as compared to diesel fuel mode of running. The smoke emission from the dual fuel mode of operation is 22% lower than that when diesel alone is used under all load conditions and also reduction in noise level of 4.5% was observed in dual fuel mode. The economic analysis of the system shows the fruitful result for the investment made on this system. The internal rate of return was 29.37%. Also the cost of operation was 138.47 INR per hour for dual fuel engine whereas for diesel it comes out to be 230.00 INR per hour. And the cost of electricity generation in dual fuel mode is 14.34 INR per kWh. With reduction of 60% GHG emissions, the gasifier operated dual fuel diesel engine is economically feasible option for power generation.