Injection Pressure Optimization for Non-edible Biodiesel Blends in CRDI Engines: A Comparative Study

Year : 2025 | Volume : 03 | Issue : 02 | Page : 24 34
    By

    C. Manikandan,

  1. Research Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, FEAT, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The growing demand for clean and sustainable energy has increased interest in biodiesel produced from non-edible oil sources. These fuels are renewable, biodegradable, and do not compete with food resources. However, the effective use of biodiesel blends in modern diesel engines requires proper control of fuel injection parameters, particularly injection pressure. In common rail direct injection (CRDI) engines, injection pressure strongly influences spray formation, air–fuel mixing, combustion behaviour, and exhaust emissions. Therefore, identifying an optimum injection pressure is essential for achieving better engine performance and lower emissions when non-edible biodiesel blends are used. In this study, a detailed experimental investigation was conducted to examine the effect of injection pressure on the performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of non-edible biodiesel–diesel blends in a CRDI engine. The engine was operated at a constant speed under different load conditions, while injection pressure was varied over a selected range suitable for CRDI operation. Key performance parameters such as brake thermal efficiency and brake specific fuel consumption were evaluated. Combustion characteristics were analyzed using in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate data. Exhaust emissions, including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and smoke opacity, were also measured to assess environmental impact. The experimental results indicated that increasing injection pressure improved fuel atomization and enhanced combustion quality for biodiesel blends up to an optimum level. At this optimized injection pressure, brake thermal efficiency showed noticeable improvement, while brake specific fuel consumption decreased compared to lower injection pressures. In addition, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and smoke emissions were significantly reduced due to better air–fuel mixing and more complete combustion. A moderate increase in nitrogen oxide emissions was observed at higher injection pressures, mainly due to elevated combustion temperatures. Overall, the study demonstrates that proper injection pressure optimization can effectively improve the performance and emission behaviour of non-edible biodiesel blends in CRDI engines, supporting their practical application without the need for major engine modifications.

Keywords: Non-edible biodiesel, Injection pressure optimization, CRDI engine, Combustion characteristics, Exhaust emissions

[This article belongs to International Journal of Manufacturing and Production Engineering ]

How to cite this article:
C. Manikandan. Injection Pressure Optimization for Non-edible Biodiesel Blends in CRDI Engines: A Comparative Study. International Journal of Manufacturing and Production Engineering. 2025; 03(02):24-34.
How to cite this URL:
C. Manikandan. Injection Pressure Optimization for Non-edible Biodiesel Blends in CRDI Engines: A Comparative Study. International Journal of Manufacturing and Production Engineering. 2025; 03(02):24-34. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijmpe/article=2025/view=234954


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 03
Issue 02
Received 17/12/2025
Accepted 18/12/2025
Published 23/12/2025
Publication Time 6 Days
192

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