Abstract—In the present world it is essential to find an alternate fuel source due to the increased industrialization and depletion in natural resources. The method of obtaining biodiesel from various sources and blending them with diesel is adopted in many economically developed and developing countries around the world. This paper investigates the utilization of jatropha and Pongamia Pinnata Methyl Ester (PPME) blends with diesel in Variable Compression Rratio (VCR) CI engine. The performance and combustion characteristics of B10,B20 and B30 blends of jatropha and pongamia with diesel for various compression ratios (13, 14, 15, 16, 17.5) have been studied and it is found out that the blends of biodiesel like jatropha and pongamia with diesel could substitute in the place of pure diesel and be used as an alternate source of fuel in the near future, thus saving the natural resources for the future generation. Performance parameter like brake thermal efficiency, specific fuel consumption, mechanical efficiency, brake power is evaluated and final conclusion is drawn.

Index Terms—Biodiesel, Jatropha, Pongamia Pinnata Methyl Ester (PPME), Variable compression ratio CI engine

Cite: D Balajee, G Sankaranarayanan, P Harish, and N Jeevarathinam, "Performance and Combustion Characteristics of CI Engine with Variable Compression Ratio Fuelled with Pongamia and Jatropha and its Blends with Diesel," International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Research, Vol.2 No.3, pp. 74-85, July 2013.