Prediction and performance optimisation of a DI CI engine fuelled diesel–Bael biodiesel blends with DMC additive using RSM and ANN: Energy and exergy analysis

• Published in: Energy conversion and management 2023-09, Vol.292, p.117386, Article 117386
• Main Authors: Pitchaiah, S., Juchelková, Dagmar, Sathyamurthy, Ravishankar, Atabani, A.E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Additive; Artificial neural network; Biodiesel; Engine performance prediction; Response surface methodology
• ISSN: 0196-8904
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2023.117386

[Display omitted] •Green and sustainable DMC is proposed as an additive to Bael biodiesel for enhancing performance and mitigating emissions.•Bael biodiesel has the potential to achieve 30.68% BTE by B15DMC5, with a worthwhile reduction in emissions.•Process optimization and exergy analysis would support process upcycling and energy conservation.•Provide a way to reduce the carbon footprint by carbon–neutral potential Bael biodiesel. Synthesis of biofuel from bioresources represents one of the greatest propitious options for achieving a cleaner production of energy and the global circular bio-economy. The superior cetane rating of biodiesel makes it a fitting fuel for CI diesel engines. The present study aims to valorise Bael seeds for biodiesel production. Bael is a species of treeindigenoustoIndia. The diesel–Bael biodiesel was blended with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as an ignition enhancer and investigated in a selected diesel engine. This work reports that the Bael biodiesel blend gets a tolerable level of BTE against neat fossil diesel. An utmost BTE of 30.68% was achieved with B15DMC5 which is very close to diesel (31.8%) at peak load. Certainly, BSFC was suppressed and emissions lessened by DMC inclusion. For instance, the CO and HC emissions substantially reduced to a minimum of 0.19% and 179 ppm with the B17.5DMC2.5 blend at peak load. NOx emission is directly proportional to Bael biodiesel concentration, Notably, NOx emission is well controlled at 50% and 75% load even though with the increasing biodiesel concentration in the blend. Though, control of emissions at peak load is still a crucial issue. Nevertheless, the DMC additives controlled the NOx emission at peak load. B15DMC5 blend exhibits progress in combustion through the optimized value of HRR, CGP, and CGT against B20. The presence of NOx and smoke opacity without additives is suppressed up to 7% and 10% with additives. Availability (exergy) and exergy efficiency at different loads of both neat diesel and blended fuels, mainly shaft, cooling water, and exhaust availability were calculated. The results of the study illustrated that the input availability increased at peak loads, as well as gross work output, was maximum at peak load due to higher fuel exergy present in the combustion chamber. A maximum exergy efficiency of 68% was recorded by B15DMC5 at peak load. Finally, the process optimization by RSM has been validated by experimental results and further authenticated with ANN. The resu