Experimental Analysis of Low Heat Rejection Engine Powered by Blends of Waste Plastic Oil and Diesel

Abstract

The energy consumption throughout the world has been increasing every day. The fossil fuels are the main energy source for automobiles. The increase in the usage rate of fossil fuel proves to be a major source of greenhouse gases and air pollution. On the other hand, in the form of waste plastic, a good source of energy is dumped without any usage. Since plastic materials are non-degradable, this leads to a considerable problem in solid waste management. Waste plastic oil can be obtained through pyrolysis process of waste plastic. The physical and thermal properties of the waste plastic oil (WPO) are near to the diesel fuel. The waste plastic oil can be directly used as a fuel for unmodified CI engine. This reduces plastic waste, and it acts as a viable source of energy. In this experiment, different blends such as WPO20, WPO40, WPO60, WPO80 and neat waste plastic oil are used as a fuel in the CI engine. The performance and emission results have shown that WPO20 produces better results than the other blends of waste plastic oil. So, this blend is used for further research. Many researchers have analysed the engine characteristics using WPO as a sole fuel in CI engine, but no research has been done so far with WPO as a fuel in LHR engine. LHR engines have various advantages such that they may increase the adiabatic flame temperature, reduce the heat loss, which in turn increases the brake thermal efficiency, and reduce HC and CO emissions. The LHR engine is tested with WPO20 as a fuel, and its performance and emission values are compared with a conventional diesel fuel engine. The engine vibration is found to be reduced while using LHR engine rather than the conventional diesel fuel engine. The experiment results from LHR engine show improved BTE and reduced emissions, such as CO and UBHC, while there is a slight increase in NOx.