Non-edible Vegetable Oils for Alternative Fuel in Compression Ignition Engines

Non-edible vegetable oils instead of edible vegetable oils as a substitute for diesel fuel are getting a renewed attention because of global reduction of green house gases and concerns for long-term food and energy security. Out of various non-edible vegetable oils, karanja, mahua, linseed, rubber seed and cotton seed oils are selected in this study. A brief review of recent works related to the application of the above five vegetable oils and its derivatives in CI engines is presented. The production technologies of biodiesel based on non-edible vegetable oils are introduced. Problems in vegetable oil or biodiesel fuelled CI engine are included. In addition, future works related to spray characteristics of non-edible vegetable oil or biodiesel from it are discussed. The biodiesel fuel, irrespective of the feedstock used, results in a decrease in the emission of hydrocardon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM) and sulphur dioxide (). It is also said to be carbon neutral as it contributes no net carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Only oxides of nitrogen (NOx) are reported to increase which is due to oxygen content in the biodiesel fuel. The systematic assessment of spray char-acteristics of neat vegetable oils and its blends, neat biodiesel and its blends f3r use as diesel engine fuels is required.