Effects of compression ratio on the performance and emission levels of a CI engine fueled with safflower oil methyl ester through an engine simulation approach
Authors: Doǧan Battal , Ghanati Soroush Gholami , Yeşilyurt Murat Kadir , Yaman Hayri 
Published: February 2024

In recent years, the research community has shown significant interest in the potential of biodiesel as a renewable alternative to conventional fossil-based fuels. Nevertheless, the experimental investigation of the effects of diverse biodiesel formulations on internal combustion engines demands a significant investment of time and financial resources. Consequently, the numerical alternative methodologies are advocated as a viable substitute for practical experiments. Numerical simulations offer the opportunity for a meticulous examination of the characteristics of internal combustion engines under diverse operational conditions and various biodiesel blends, thereby optimizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This study focused on the simulation of performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine running on safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) oil methyl ester (SOME) and traditional diesel fuel using AVL simulation software. Furthermore, the simulation results were compared with a laboratory study carried out under identical conditions. The simulated engine underwent testing across various compression ratios (CRs) (ranging from 12:1 to 18:1) and engine loads (from 25% to full load) while sustaining a consistent speed of 1500 rpm. The simulation findings revealed that the engine exhibited its highest BSFC as 0.495 kg/kWh with SOME fuel, at a CR of 12:1, modestly lower than the corresponding experimental observation of 0.520 kg/kWh. Concurrently, the lowest value of BSFC, recorded as 0.267 kg/kWh with diesel fuel and a CR of 18:1, demonstrated a marginal deviation from the experimental result of 0.281 kg/kWh. Additionally, SOME fuel usage was correlated with diminished CO and HC emissions. The experimental findings indicated the lowest value of CO and HC emissions, as 0.14% and 21.7 ppm, respectively, with SOME fuel at a CR of 18:1, marginally below the simulation-derived values of 0.13% and 20.8 ppm. Conversely, diesel fuel at a CR of 12:1 exhibited maximal CO and HC emissions, registering 0.38% and 199.5 ppm, respectively, in the experimental study. In comparison, the simulation values were slightly lower at 0.36% and 194.1 ppm. Moreover, the experimental investigation identified SOME fuel as yielding the highest CO2 emission, reaching a peak of 11.9% under a CR of 18:1, while the simulation showed a slightly lower value of 11.2%. In contrast, diesel fuel at a CR of 12:1 resulted in the lowest CO2 emission at 3.85% in the experiment, with the simulation reporting a slightly reduced value of 3.77%. Regarding NOx emissions, the experiment recorded the peak at 1687 ppm with SOME fuel and a CR of 18:1, slightly surpassing the simulation’s value of 1643 ppm. Conversely, the experimental data indicated the lowest NOx emission as 103 ppm with diesel fuel and a CR of 12:1, with the simulation suggesting a slightly lower value of 98.2 ppm under identical conditions. The simulation results demonstrated favorable concordance with experimental findings, notably strengthening with an increase in CR.