Abstract—The major problem associated with the direct use of vegetable oils as fuel in the compression ignition engines due to their higher viscosity. The use of vegetable oil in the compression ignition interferes the fuel injection and atomization and contributes to incomplete combustion, nozzle clogging, excessive engine deposits, ring sticking, producing thick smoke, etc. The problem of higher viscosity of vegetable oils can be resolved by various techniques, such as heating of fuel lines, trans-esterification, modification of injection system, etc. In the present investigation, tests were conducted with the use of transesterified corn oil in a single cylinder, four stroke, and direct injection diesel engine. Tests were conducted with methyl ester of corn oil and diesel. To improve the combustion characteristics of methyl ester of corn oil in an unmodified engine, effect of increase in injection pressure was studied. The injection pressure was increased from 180 bar to 220 bar. The investigation revealed that the optimum pressure at 200 bar and comparison of the performance of the engine was studied in terms of brake specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency, indicated thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency and exhaust emissions.

Index Terms—Injection pressure, Raw corn oil, Methyl ester of corn oil, Compression Ignition Engines, Performance and Combustion

Cite: Nanjundaiah and Ramesha D K, "Optimization of Injection Pressure for a Compression Ignition Engine with Methyl Ester of Corn Oil as an Alternate Fuel," International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Research, Vol.3, No.4, pp. 231-238, October 2014.