Performance optimization of Jatropha biodiesel engine model using Taguchi approach

This paper proposes a methodology for thermodynamic model analysis of Jatropha biodiesel engine in combination with Taguchi's optimization approach to determine the optimum engine design and operating parameters. A thermodynamic model based on two-zone Weibe's heat release function has been employed to simulate the Jatropha biodiesel engine performance. Among the important engine design and operating parameters 10 critical parameters were selected assuming interactions between the pair of parameters. Using linear graph theory and Taguchi method an L16 orthogonal array has been utilized to determine the engine test trials layout. In order to maximize the performance of Jatropha biodiesel engine the signal to noise ratio (SNR) related to higher-the-better (HTB) quality characteristics has been used. The present methodology correctly predicted the compression ratio, Weibe's heat release constants and combustion zone duration as the critical parameters that affect the performance of the engine compared to other parameters.

[1]  Kenan Yakut,et al.  Optimum design-parameters of a heat exchanger having hexagonal fins , 2006 .

[2]  Naeim A. Henein,et al.  Diesel Starting: A Mathematical Model , 1988 .

[3]  Havva Balat,et al.  Progress in biodiesel processing , 2010 .

[4]  D. Stamatis,et al.  Orthogonal Arrays and Linear Graphs , 2002 .

[5]  S. Jayaraj,et al.  Theoretical modeling and experimental studies on biodiesel-fueled engine , 2006 .

[6]  Daemon Fairless.  Biofuel: The little shrub that could - maybe , 2007, Nature.

[7]  Avinash Kumar Agarwal,et al.  Biofuels (alcohols and biodiesel) applications as fuels for internal combustion engines , 2007 .

[8]  John B. Heywood,et al.  Internal combustion engine fundamentals , 1988 .

[9]  P. Gateau,et al.  The Effects of Rapeseed Oil Methyl Ester on Diesel Engine Performance, Exhaust Emissions and Long-Term Behavior - A Summary of Three Years of Experimentation , 1995 .

[10]  Kenan Yakut,et al.  Effects of tapes with double-sided delta-winglets on heat and vortex characteristics , 2005 .

[11]  H. D. Harris,et al.  A universal mathematical model of diesel engine performance. , 1990 .

[12]  José M. Desantes,et al.  Characterisation of the Injection-Combustion Process in a D.I. Diesel Engine Running with Rape Oil Methyl Ester , 1999 .

[13]  G. Hohenberg.  Advanced Approaches for Heat Transfer Calculations , 1979 .

[14]  Jiju Antony,et al.  Teaching the Taguchi method to industrial engineers , 2001 .

[15]  Tadashi Murayama,et al.  Description and Analysis of Diesel Engine Rate of Combustion and Performance Using Wiebe's Functions , 1985 .

[16]  Indrajit Mukherjee,et al.  A review of optimization techniques in metal cutting processes , 2006, Comput. Ind. Eng..

[17]  T. R. Bement,et al.  Taguchi techniques for quality engineering , 1995 .

[18]  K. Arunachalam,et al.  Simulation and Analysis of Combustion and Heat Transfer in Low Heat Rejection Diesel Engine Using Two Zone Combustion Model and Different Heat Transfer Models , 2003 .

[19]  A. Ramesh,et al.  An experimental comparison of methods to use methanol and Jatropha oil in a compression ignition engine , 2003 .

[20]  D. Hodgetts,et al.  SIMULATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF THERMODYNAMIC PROCESSES OF DIESEL ENGINE. , 1974 .

[21]  Isak Kotcioglu,et al.  Optimum design parameters of a heat exchanger , 2005 .

[22]  Vicente Hernández,et al.  Combining Neural Networks and Genetic Algorithms to Predict and Reduce Diesel Engine Emissions , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation.

[23]  Hüseyin Serdar Yücesu,et al.  The potential of using vegetable oil fuels as fuel for diesel engines , 2001 .

[24]  Z Win,et al.  Investigation of diesel engine operating and injection system parameters for low noise, emissions, and fuel consumption using Taguchi methods , 2005 .