Feasibility Testing Of Biodiesel Blends In Agricultural Tractor For Conservation Of Fuel And Reduction Of Environmental Pollution

Abstract

This paper reveals the feasibility of Karanja biodiesel blends as fuel in agricultural tractor for tillage operations in order to conserve petroleum based fuels and reduce the environmental pollution. The drawbar power, fuel consumption and fuel efficiency of the tractor at three selected forward speeds viz., 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 km h-1 were assessed during tillage operations. The levels of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were analysed using exhaust gas analyzer. Results showed that the drawbar power of tractor was not affected by the blends but significantly affected by the forward speed. The blends and forward speed of operation affected both the fuel consumption and fuel efficiency significantly. The rate of increase in the levels of CO and CO2 emission were the direct function of forward speed while, the CO and CO2 emission levels decreased with the increase in the blends of biodiesel in the tractor. B20 biodiesel blend performed comparably with the petro-diesel in terms of fuel consumption and fuel efficiency but resulted in reduction of emission levels.