Research Article Published: April 15, 2025 Volume 1, Issue 2

Optimized Performance of Compression Ignition Engines Using Marula Biodiesel-Diesel Blends: A Comprehensive Analysis of Fuel Efficiency and Combustion Characteristics

Authors and Affiliations

Jumal Salami*1

Affiliation: Department of Mechanical/Production Engineering, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Kaduna, Nigeria

Robert Omar Daniel1

Affiliation: Department of Mechanical/Production Engineering, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

This study presents a rigorous evaluation of marula oil methyl ester (MOME)-diesel fuel (DF) blends in a single-cylinder, four-stroke compression ignition engine under variable loading conditions. Using a TD 110-TD 115 test bed with hydraulic dynamometer, we systematically analyzed five blend ratios (B5–B25) following SAE J1312 protocols. Key findings reveal that B5 and B10 blends exhibited superior performance metrics: brake power exceeded DF by 0.19% and 0.094% (peak 2.315 kW at 2000g load), while brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) reduced by 18.7% and 0.16% (minimum 309.10 g/kWh at 2500g load). The blends' oxygenated nature enhanced combustion efficiency, as evidenced by 2.68% (B5) and 1.91% (B10) improvements in brake thermal efficiency (BTE) relative to DF (26.1%). However, higher biodiesel concentrations (B20–B25) showed diminished performance due to increased viscosity (4.60–4.65 mm²/s) and reduced calorific values (42.80–43.10 MJ/kg), which impaired atomization. These results demonstrate that low-percentage MOME blends (≤B15) optimally balance renewable fuel integration with engine performance, offering a viable pathway for sustainable energy in tropical regions like Nigeria, where marula is indigenous.

Keywords

Marula biodiesel Diesel blends Compression ignition engine Fuel efficiency Combustion optimization Renewable fuels Engine performance

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APA Style:

Salami, J., & Daniel, R. O. (2025). Optimized Performance of Compression Ignition Engines Using Marula Biodiesel-Diesel Blends: A Comprehensive Analysis of Fuel Efficiency and Combustion Characteristics. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Related Sciences, 1(2), 1.

IEEE Style:

J. Salami and R. O. Daniel, "Optimized Performance of Compression Ignition Engines Using Marula Biodiesel-Diesel Blends: A Comprehensive Analysis of Fuel Efficiency and Combustion Characteristics," International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Related Sciences, vol. 1, no. 2, paper 1, 2025.

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