Structure–Property–Performance Characteristics of Chlorella Vulgaris Lipid-Based Bio-Composites Modified with n-Pentanol

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | Special Issue 01 | Page : 1636 1648
    By

    Alagala Harikrishna,

  • B. Chandra Mohana Reddy,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, K.S.R.M. College of Engineering, Research Scholar, JNTUA, Andhra Pradesh, India
  2. Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, JNTUA College of Engineering, Ananthapuramu, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The depletion of fossil fuel resources and increasingly stringent emission regulations have intensified the need for sustainable alternatives for compression ignition (CI) engines. Biodiesel derived from Chlorella vulgaris microalgae is a renewable, non-edible fuel; however, its higher viscosity and lower volatility can adversely affect engine performance. To address these limitations, higher alcohols such as n-pentanol can be employed as effective modifiers to improve fuel physicochemical properties while maintaining compatibility with existing engines. In this study, diesel–biodiesel–n-pentanol lipid-based bio-composite fuels were experimentally investigated in a single-cylinder direct injection CI engine under varying load conditions. The test fuels included neat diesel (D100), B20, and B20 blended with 5–20% n-pentanol namely B20+75D5P (20% biodiesel, 75% diesel, and 5%n-pentanol), B20+70D10P (20% biodiesel, 70% diesel, and 10%n-pentanol), B20+65D15P (20% biodiesel, 65% diesel, and 15%n-pentanol), and B20+60D20P (20% biodiesel, 60% diesel, and 20% n-pentanol). Brake thermal efficiency increased with engine load for all fuels, with diesel achieving a maximum value of 30.12% at full load. The addition of n-pentanol resulted in slightly lower peak efficiency compared to diesel; however, significant emission improvements were observed. At full load, the B20+70D10P bio-composite reduced carbon monoxide emissions from 0.96% to 0.89% and unburned hydrocarbons from 95 to 75 ppm, while nitrogen oxide emissions remained comparable to diesel and smoke emissions were well controlled. Overall, B20+70D10P exhibited the most balanced structure–property–performance behavior, offering improved emission characteristics with acceptable engine performance.

Keywords: Bio-composite fuels, Lipid-based polymers, Chlorella vulgaris biodiesel, and n-Pentanol modifier.

[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer & Composites (jopc)]

How to cite this article:
Alagala Harikrishna, B. Chandra Mohana Reddy. Structure–Property–Performance Characteristics of Chlorella Vulgaris Lipid-Based Bio-Composites Modified with n-Pentanol. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):1636-1648.
How to cite this URL:
Alagala Harikrishna, B. Chandra Mohana Reddy. Structure–Property–Performance Characteristics of Chlorella Vulgaris Lipid-Based Bio-Composites Modified with n-Pentanol. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):1636-1648. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=238805


Browse Figures

References

  1. Praveen et al., “Influence of Nano additive Chlorella vulgaris Micro algae Biodiesel blends on the Performance and Emission characteristics of a DI Diesel engine”, International Journal of Ambient Energy (2020):, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01430750.2020.1725120
  2. Chengfang Mao et al. “Performance and Exhaust Emissions from Diesel Engines with Different Blending Ratios of Biofuels” Processes, vol. 12, no. 3, no. 501, 2024.doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12030501
  3. Dhyani et al., “Examining ethanol-biodiesel-diesel blends: Impact on diesel passenger car performance and emissions under legislative test cycles,” SAE Technical Paper 2024-28-0125, 2024.doi: https://doi.org/10.4271/2024-28-0125
  4. Duraisamy et al., “Performance and emission analysis of a CI engine using various blends of diesel and Prosopis juliflora seed oil-derived biodiesel,” SAE Technical Paper 2025-28-0129, 2025.doi: https://doi.org/10.4271/2025-28-0129
  5. El-Nagar et al., “Enhancing diesel engine performance and emissions with innovative Ethanol-Surfactant blends in Biodiesel: Unveiling insights through fractional factorial design,” Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, vol. 73, Art. no. 104169,2025.doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2024.104169
  6. Zeki Yilbasi et al., “Understanding the performance, emissions, and combustion behaviors of a DI diesel engine using alcohol/hemp seed oil biodiesel/diesel fuel ternary blends: Influence of long-chain alcohol type and concentration,” Science and Technology for Energy Transition, vol. 78, no. 3, 2023.doi: https://doi.org/10.2516/stet/2023003
  7. Mao et al., “The effect of bio-alcohol additives on biofuel diesel engines,” Fire, vol. 7, no. 11, Art. no. 404, 2024.doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7110404
  8. Doohyun Kim et al., “Performance and emission characteristics of n-pentanol–diesel blends in a single-cylinder CI engine,” Energies, vol. 18, no. 19, no. 5083, 2025.doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/en18195083
  9. Sunday B. Ogunjide et al. , “A review of combustion, performance and emissions characteristics of diesel engines fueled with n-pentanol blends for agricultural use,” Results in Engineering, vol. 16, no. 106768, 2025.doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.106768
  10. Harikrishna and B. C. M. Reddy, “Effect of diesel-B20-pentanol and diesel-B20-butanol blends on diesel engine performance, emission, and combustion characteristics,” Journal of Mechanics, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 241–252, 2024.doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/jom/ufad038
  11. Mieczysław Sikora et al. , “Impact of Ethanol–Diesel Blend on CI Engine Performance and Emissions,” Energies, vol. 18, no. 9, no. 2277, 2025.doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/en18092277
  12. Dillip Kumar Mohanty et al. , “Influence of 1-Hexanol/Waste Plastic Oil Blends on Combustion, Performance, and Emission Characteristics of a Common Rail Direct Injection Diesel Engine,” ACS Omega, vol. 103,2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c06693
  13. U. Ibrahim et al., “Investigating the Effects of Pentanol and Biodiesel Blends on the Performance and Emission Characteristic of Compression Ignition Engine,” Nigerian Journal of Technological Development, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 278–285, 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.4314/njtd.v17i4.5
  14. Tamilselvan Pachiannan et al. , “Enhancing engine performance, combustion, and emission characteristics through hydrogen enrichment in n-pentanol/diesel blends: A study on advanced combustion strategies for reduced emissions,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 98, 741-750, 2025.doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.12.005
  15. Sakthivel et al., “A review on the properties, performance and emission aspects of the third generation biodiesels,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 82, pp. 2970–2992, 2018. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.10.037
  16. Selvam et al., “Investigating emission characteristics and combustion performance of a CRDI engine utilizing novel biodiesel derived from waste cooking oil and pentanol blends,” Scientific Reports, vol. 15, no. 1, Art. no. 14742, 2025.doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98462-6
  17. Karuppiah et al “Multiobjective Optimization of Fabrication Parameters of Jute Fiber/Polyester Composites with Egg Shell Powder and Nanoclay Filler,” Molecules, vol. 25, no. 23, Art. no. 5579, 2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25235579
  18. Santulli et al., “Pineapple fibers, their composites and applications,” in Plant Fibers, their Composites, and Applications, Elsevier, 2022, pp. 323–346. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824528-6.00007-2
  19. S. M. Kumar et al., “Drilling Parameters and Post-Drilling Residual Tensile Properties of Natural-Fiber-Reinforced Composites: A Review,” J. Compos. Sci., vol. 7, no. 4, Art. no. 136, 2023. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs7040136
  20. Ayrilmis et al.,“Utilizing waste manhole covers and fibreboard as reinforcing fillers for thermoplastic composites,” J. Reinf. Plast. Compos., vol. 44, no. 17–18, pp. 1108–1118, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/07316844241238507
  21. Aruchamy et al., “Enhancement of mechanical properties of hybrid polymer composites using palmyra palm and coconut sheath fibers: The role of tamarind shell powder,” BioResources, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 698–724, 2025. doi: https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.20.1.698-724
  22. Palanisamy et al., “Tensile Properties and Fracture Morphology of Acacia Caesia Bark Fibers Treated with Different Alkali Concentrations,” J. Nat. Fibers, vol. 19, no. 15, 2022. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2021.2022562
Special Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
Special Issue 01
Received 21/02/2026
Accepted 28/02/2026
Published 21/03/2026
Publication Time 28 Days
67

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics