Optimization of Engine Performance Parameters and Exhaust Emissions in CI Engine Fuelled with Soapnut Bio-Diesel Blend Using Artificial Neural Networks 2019-01-1167

With fossil fuels depleting at a fast rate and global temperatures attaining an all-time high, search for alternative fuels, to drive the vehicles of tomorrow, has become more rampant. Bio-diesels made from different animal and plant stocks, due to their similar properties to diesel fuel, thus are of great interest to researchers. With reduced CO, NOx, PM and other toxic emissions thereby decreasing health costs, bio-diesel is the ideal alternative to save the environment from further deterioration. In this study, Bio-diesel is produced from non-edible vegetable oil produced from Soapnut which though widely available in India, is otherwise considered waste. Using the oil from Soapnut seeds is not only a scheme for converting waste to wealth and earn commercial gains but also a vital source of biodiesel due to high oil content. The Artificial Neural Network (ANN) technique is used here to optimize the performance and control the harmful emissions from a CI engine operating on this Soapnut oil-diesel blend. Input parameters used are Engine rpm, fuel properties and density of the fuel. Comparing these with the experimental results it has been found that ANN can be effectively used for optimizing the performance and emissions of a Soapnut oil-fuelled Diesel Engine.