Analysis of jatropha oil-kerosene fuel mixtures on the performance of a variable-load direct injection CI engine

Jatropha oil was blended with kerosene in ratios; JOK0, JOK20, JOK30, JOK40 and JOK50 and benchmarked against conventional diesel fuel. The blended fuel samples was test-run on a TD110-TD115 TQ small CI engine test rig, and emission levels for the fuel samples were examined using an SQV automobile exhaust gas analyser. The JOK20 fuel sample offered a better performance in terms of higher BP, BTE, and EGT followed by; JOK30, JOK40 and JOK50 blends; and also exhibited lower SFC, BSEC and AFR, hence less fuel consuming than diesel fuel. A reduction in CO emission was recorded for JOK20, and a significant cut was also observed for JOK30, JOK40 blends with load increase.; while, JOK30, JOK40 and JOK50 samples exhibited higher CO2 and lower UHC emission levels than diesel. No traceable level of NOx emission was recorded for JOK20 fuel sample.