An experimental study of Pongamia pinnata L. oil as a diesel
substitute
Journal Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part
A: Journal of Power and Energy
Publisher Professional Engineering Publishing
ISSN 0957-6509
Issue Volume 220, Number 7 / 2006
DOI 10.1243/09576509JPE172
Pages 803-808
Present work deals with testing a performance of a compression
ignition (CI) engine with different blends of non-edible oil as well
as their methylesters with petrodiesel. Various blends of a non-
edible vegetable oil, commonly known as honge (Pongamia pinnata L.)
in India, were prepared and tested over a wide range of engine load.
Results obtained from the study showed that 15-20 per cent pongamia
methylester-diesel blend (B15 and B20) could be a better fuel in
terms of fuel efficiency and power developed. Further, the blend can
be used in any existing CI engine without modification and
preheating. The pongamia oil is transesterified by using base
catalysed transesterification process in a batch type
transesterification reactor. Transesterification shows improvement
in fuel properties of pongamia oil. Results obtained with B15 and
B20 show improvement in brake thermal efficiency and reduction in
brake specific fuel consumption, especially at higher load. Emission
results show significant reduction in percentage of CO and HC for
B15 and B20 at medium and higher power output.

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