Combustion and emission characteristics of a direct injection CI engine when operated on Marotti oil methyl ester and blends of Marotti oil methyl ester and diesel

This paper presents a feasibility study of Marotti oil biodiesel as an alternative to diesel fuel for a compression ignition engine. Marotti oil is inedible and available mainly in the state of Kerala. The oil is extracted from Marotti seeds. However, the high viscosity, poor volatility and cold flow characteristics of many vegetable oils in general, and Marotti oil in particular, can cause problems such as injector coking, severe engine deposits, filter gumming, piston ring sticking and thickening of lubrication from long-term use in diesel engines. These problems can be eliminated or minimised by transesterification of the vegetable oils to form monoesters. Although transesterification improves the fuel properties of vegetable oil, the viscosity and volatility of biodiesel are still worse than for petroleum diesel fuel. Subsequently, Marotti oil was converted into its methyl ester by the process of transesterification. The methyl ester was blended with diesel in various proportions to obtain different blends of Marotti oil with diesel. The performance, emission and combustion characteristics of Marotti methyl ester and its blends with diesel were studied and the results were compared with the base line data generated for diesel operation. Experiments were conducted using an injection timing of 23° before top dead centre (BTDC) and an injection pressure of 205 bar at various power outputs and at a constant rated speed of 1500 rpm. The engine manufacturer specifies an injection timing of 23° BTDC and injection pressure of 205 bar for the standard diesel fuel operation. The heat release rates, maximum rate of pressure rise, ignition delay and combustion duration for these fuel combinations were obtained.

From the results obtained, it was observed that the biodiesel produced from Marotti oil and its blends with diesel have slightly reduced brake thermal efficiency and increased smoke, hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and reduced NO _x emissions compared with diesel-only operation. The investigation showed that the B20 biodiesel blend of Marotti oil with diesel produced better performance in terms of higher brake thermal efficiency, lower specific fuel consumption and comparatively lower emissions compared to the other blend ratios considered.     

Effects of EGR on performance and emissions of a diesel engine fuelled with balanites aegyptiaca/diesel blends

In this study, balanites Aegyptiaca (L.) Del biodiesel was blended in proportions of 10% and 20% on the volume basis with diesel fuel and tested in a single cylinder, VCR diesel engine under measured load conditions with varied EGR rates (0, 10 and 20%). The results showed that B10 and B20 blends shown a significant reduction rate in terms of NO_x emissions that were familiar with biodiesel blends. At peak load conditions, BTE increased slightly for test fuel blends compared with pure diesel fuel while the BSFC rate and EGT suffered from increasing and decreasing nature with respect to blending percentage. From the emissions point of view, with the increase in blends percentage, a significant reduction rate is observed in terms of CO and HC concentrations (up to 12.34 and 17.5%, respectively) while NOx emissions decreased at peak load conditions (up to 24.34%). HC and CO emissions decreased with increase in blends percentage. However, lower levels of NO_x and EGT (up to 21.37 and 8.47%, respectively) and the average increase in terms of BTE and BSFC (up to 2.83 and 2.9%, respectively) can be realised with B20 test fuel blend under 20% EGR rate.     

Combustion performance and emission characteristics on HCCI engine of waste plastic pyrolysis oil biodiesel blends with external PFI and vaporiser

ABSTRACT

Analysis of plastic oil obtained from waste plastic through pyrolysis process, as an alternative to biodiesel is presented in this paper. The HCCI engine is considered for experimental validation of combustion performance and emission characteristics. To accumulate pyrolysis oil as fuel, the design modifications were made in external mixture formation on the existing computerised 4-stroke, single cylinder, water cooled, direct injection kirloskar diesel engine connected with eddy current dynamometer to satisfy HCCI conditions. HCCI engine can be worked on wide assortment of fuels beginning from diesel to different blends (WPPO 5%,10%,15% and 20% by volume) of biodiesel .The designed additional device connected to the engine is utilised for fuel vaporisation and mixture arrangement. In the experimental study, the combustion results were initiate to be of 39.69 % higher Rate of Heat Release (RoHR) for biodiesel HCCI as compared with diesel HCCI. Higher brake thermal efficiency (BTE) was found 37 % without exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) at WPPO 20 % biodiesel blend. And also found 50 % and 65 % reduction in NOx emission and 18 % and 28 % reduction in smoke opacity are obtained for biodiesel vapour induction without EGR and biodiesel vapour induction with 15 % EGR as compared with diesel fuel. The CO (0.34 %), and UHC (2.15 %) emissions are increases with 15 % EGR, but the emissions are within the standard limits specified by the emissions standards.     

Fuel efficiency enhancement of modified diesel engine operated in dual fuel mode using renewable and sustainable fuels

ABSTRACT

Renewable and sustainable fuels for diesel engine applications provide energy protection, overseas exchange saving and address atmospheric and socio-economic concerns. This study presents the investigational work carried out on a single cylinder, four-stroke, direct injection diesel engine operated in dual fuel (DF) mode using renewable and sustainable fuels. In the first phase, a Y-shaped mixing chamber or venture was developed with varied angle facility for gas entry at 30°, 45° and 60°, respectively, to enable homogeneous air and gas mixing. Further effect of different gas and air mixture entry on the DF engine performance was studied. In the next phase of the work, hydrogen flow rate influence on the combustion and emission characteristics of a compression ignition (CI) engine operated in DF mode using diesel, neem oil methyl ester (NeOME) and producer gas has been investigated. During experimentation, hydrogen was mixed in different proportions varied from 3 to 12 l/min (lpm) in step of 3 lpm along with air-producer gas and the mixtures were directly inducted into engine cylinder during suction stroke. Experimental investigation showed that 45° Y-shaped mixing chamber resulted in improved performance with acceptable emission levels. Further, it is observed that investigation showed that at maximum operating conditions and hydrogen flow rate of 9 lpm, Diesel–producer gas and NeOME–producer gas combination showed increased thermal efficiency by 13.2% and 3.8%, respectively, compared to the DF operation without hydrogen addition. Further, it is noticed that hydrogen-enriched producer gas lowers the power derating by 5–10% and increases nitric oxide (NO_x) emissions. However, increased hydrogen addition beyond the 12 lpm leads to sever knocking.

Abbreviations: NeOME: Neem oil methyl ester; BTE: brake thermal efficiency; CI: compression ignition; ITE: indicated thermal efficiency; PG: producer gas; CA: crank angle; K: Kelvin; BP: brake power; IP: indicated power; H₂: hydrogen; HC: unburnt hydrocarbon; CO: carbon dioxide; CO₂: carbon dioxide; NO_x: nitric oxide; HRR: heat release rate; %: percentage; PPM: parts per million; CMFIS: conventional mechanical fuel injection system.     

Blends of karanja and jatropha biodiesels for diesel engine applications

Over a number of years, the work of exploring different biodiesels as an alternative to diesel fuel has been carried out worldwide. Not much focus on the use of combination of different biodiesels and their behaviour in diesel engines has been reported. This work is an attempt in this direction, which reports on the use of combination of biodiesels derived from jatropha and karanja oils. Jatropha oil methyl ester (JOME) and honge oil methyl ester (HOME) represent the respective biodiesels derived from these non-edible oils. Experiments were conducted on a four-stroke, single-cylinder diesel engine using these biodiesel combinations in order to check their feasibility as alternative fuels to diesel. Initially, experiments were conducted on each biodiesel and their blends with diesel and engine parameters were optimised in terms of injection pressure and injection timing. Advancing the injection timing improved the overall performance of the engine fuelled with JOME while retarding the injection timing favoured the HOME. Both biodiesels performed better with an injector opening pressure of 230 bar. Finally, experiments were conducted with the combination of both biodiesels with different blend ratios. It was observed that increasing the JOME content in the biodiesels blend improved the performance with reduced emissions of smoke, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions. However NO _x emission increased.     

Effects of EGR,swirl augmentation techniques on combustion of biodiesel/ethanol and their blends in a diesel engine

The diminishing resources and continuously increasing cost of petroleum in association with their alarming pollution levels from diesel engines have caused an interest in finding alternative fuels to diesel which are renewable and sustainable. Emission control and engine efficiency are two most important parameters in current engine design. The impending introduction of emission standards such as Euro IV and Euro V is forcing the research towards developing new technologies for combating engine emissions. The classification of Euro IV and V norms is applicable to heavy-duty engines in Europe, where as Euro 5 is applicable to light-duty engines. This paper presents the effects of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), swirl augmentation techniques and ethanol addition on the combustion of Honge oil methyl ester (HOME) and its blends with ethanol in a diesel engine. From the experimental work conducted, it is found that the combustion of HOME plus up to 15% ethanol blend in a diesel engine operated with optimised parameters of injection timing 23° Before Top Dead Centre and compression ratio 17.5 results in acceptable combustion emissions and improved brake thermal efficiency (BTE). The addition of ethanol increased BTE with reduced hydrocarbons (HCs), CO and smoke emissions. However, NO _x emissions increased dramatically. Use of appropriate EGR reduces NO _x to acceptable levels. The implementation of swirl augmentation techniques further resulted in increased BTE and considerable reduction in tail pipe emissions such as smoke, HCs, CO and NO _x . The effect of swirl by providing grooves on the piston was taken into consideration to find the overall biodiesel engine performance, which gives scope for further studies.     

Combustion and emission characteristics of a direct injection,compression‐ignition engine when operated on Honge oil,HOME and blends of HOME and diesel

This paper reports the results of research conducted to study the fuel properties of Honge oil and blends of its ester and the subsequent testing of these oils in a four‐stroke, single cylinder, water‐cooled, direct injection, compression‐ignition (CI) engine. Experiments were conducted with injection timings of 19, 23 and 27° BTDC at various loads and at a constant rated speed of 1500?rev?min^?1. The performance and emission characteristics of Honge oil and Honge oil methyl ester (HOME) blended with diesel, to produce blends designated B20, B40 and B80, were studied. The heat release rates, maximum rate of pressure rise, ignition delay, and combustion duration for these fuel combinations were determined.     

Experimental investigation of diesel engine using EGR and fuelled with Karanja oil methyl ester

Karanja oil methyl ester (KOME), a biodiesel prepared from Karanja oil, a potential source of non-edible oil in India and a prospective alternative to the diesel fuel, shows comparable performance and considerable reduction in emissions except NO_x. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is a popular method of reducing the NO_x emission. The aim of this experimental work was to study the potential of the cooled EGR in a direct injection compression ignition engine operating with the KOME and its blend. The study was conducted with the different EGR rates. Performance and emission parameters were compared by using diesel, KOME and its blend employing EGR and with the same fuels without EGR. The study also differentiates the effect of EGR on KOME and its blend with the neat diesel. The effect of EGR was found to be slightly higher for KOME biodiesel and its blend than for neat diesel. Increased NO_x emission using KOME biodiesel was also found to be reduced by using EGR.     

Thermal barrier coated diesel engine running on biodiesel: a review

Thermal barrier coated diesel engine, also known as low heat rejection (LHR) engine have offered the promise of reducing heat rejection to the engine coolant and increase the combustion temperature which results in increase of thermal efficiency, decrease of fuel consumption and emission rate of the engine. Biodiesel derived from the vegetable oils are a promising alternative fuel for diesel fuel. The viscosity of vegetable oil after transestrification is still higher than that of diesel fuel. The various researchers have reported that the energy of the biodiesel could be released more efficiently with the concept of LHR engine. In the case of LHR engine running on different biodiesel blends, almost all experimental studies has predicted improved performance. This paper analyses and discussed the operating conditions under which the experimental studies are carried out and the factors which affect thermal efficiency and exhaust emissions in LHR engine.     

Performance,combustion and emission characteristics of a single-cylinder,four-stroke,direct injection diesel engine operated on a dual-fuel mode using Honge oil methyl ester and producer gas derived from biomass feedstock of different origin

Renewable and alternative fuels have numerous advantages compared with fossil fuels, as they are renewable and biodegradable, and provide food and energy security and foreign exchange savings besides addressing environmental concerns and socio-economic issues. In this context, present work was carried out to investigate the feasibility of alternative and renewable fuels derived from biomass feedstock of different origin for engine applications. The present study was also extended to study the effect of producer gas composition derived from different biomass feedstock on the performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a single-cylinder, four-stroke, direct injection stationary diesel engine operated on a dual-fuel mode using Honge oil methyl ester (HOME) and producer gas induction. The performance of the engine was evaluated with a constant injection timing of 27° before top dead centre, an injection pressure of 205 bar for the diesel–producer gas combination and 230 bar for the HOME–producer gas combination and a compression ratio of 17.5. The results showed that the performance of the dual-fuel engine varies with the composition of the producer gas and depends on the type of biomass feedstock used in the gasifier. Experimental investigations on the dual-fuel engine showed that brake thermal efficiency values for the engine operated using HOME–producer gas derived from babul, neem and honge woods were found to be 17.2, 14.3 and 11.56% respectively, compared to 23.8% for diesel–producer gas operation at 80% load. However, the results showed better engine performance with lower exhaust emission levels for the operation of HOME–producer gas derived from the ordinary or babul wood compared with the operation of that derived from the neem and Honge woods. In view of this, present study reveals that use of alternative and renewable fuels for dual fuel engine can be considered as an immediate solution for the development of rural areas and emergency use in the event of severe diesel fuel shortage.     

Analysis of methanol and organometallic MnO2 fuels as alternative fuels in a diesel engine

In this study, methanol and organometallic MnO₂ fuels were used to improve the properties of diesel fuel. In addition, the effect of methanol fuel on engine oil and a piston ring was also examined experimentally in a four-cylinder, direct injection diesel engine running at 200 bar. Three different diesel fuels were prepared by adding 5, 10 and 15% methanol to diesel fuel. In order to prevent phase separation, 1% dodecanol was added to the mixture. Organometallic compounds of manganese were synthesised to prepare the solutions. The most effective amount and performance of anti-freeze were determined. From the results, it was observed that carbon monoxide emissions decreased and NOx emissions increased with the increase in the amount of methanol. On the other hand, organometallic MnO₂ increased the cetane number and decreased the freezing point, viscosity and flame temperature.     

Production of renewable and sustainable fuel from Calliandra calothyrsus and its utilisation in compression ignition engines

Alternative fuels have several advantages compared to fossil fuels as they are renewable, biodegradable, provide energy security, foreign exchange saving as well as help in addressing environmental concerns and socio-economic issues. Therefore, renewable fuels can be used predominantly as a fuel for transportation and for applications in power generation. Shaft power application is a key factor for economic growth and prosperity and depends crucially on the long-term availability of energy from sources that are affordable, accessible and environmentally friendly. In this context, the main objective of the present study was to implement the production of bioethanol from Calliandra calothyrsus, a potential lignocellulosic raw material for the cellulose-to-bioethanol conversion process that can be used as an alternative resource to starch- or sugar-containing feedstock. This study addresses a new pretreatment method known as hydrothermal explosion using C. calothyrsus for ethanol production. The present study also involves experimental investigations on a single-cylinder, four-stroke, direct-injection diesel engine operated with Honge oil methyl ester (biodiesel) and ethanol and its comparison with a neat diesel fuel mode of operation. The results revealed that optimal parameters for bioethanol production from C. calothyrsus were 2% acid concentration (HCl), 100°C temperature and 80 min retention time. For a diesel engine operated with a HOME–bioethanol blend, the experimental results showed a 3–4% decrease in brake thermal efficiency with a 8–10% increase in hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emission levels and a 15–18% decrease in nitric oxide emission levels when compared with a neat diesel fuel mode of operation.     

Effect of hydrogen addition to CNG in a biodiesel-operated dual-fuel engine

Alternative fuels for diesel engine applications are gaining more prominence as they have numerous advantages compared to fossil fuels. They are renewable, biodegradable; provide food and energy security and foreign exchange savings. They address environmental concerns and socio-economic issues as well. Gaseous fuels such as compressed natural gas and hydrogenated compressed natural gas (HCNG) appear more attractive fuels for diesel engine applications operated in dual-fuel mode. Such dual fuel engines can replace considerable amount of liquid-injected pilot fuels by gaseous fuels besides being friendly to the environment. A small quantity of liquid fuel injected towards the end of the compression stroke initiates combustion of the inducted gas in the dual-fuel engines. The main advantage of dual-fuel engines is their lower nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and particulate emissions. Hence renewable fuels such as biodiesels and gaseous fuels can be used predominantly for transportation and power generation applications. Gaseous fuels are clean burning and are more economical as well. A suitable carburettor was designed to supply a stoichiometric mixture of air and HCNG to the modified diesel engine operated in dual-fuel mode. The biodiesel used in this study is derived from Honge oil called the Honge oil methyl ester (HOME). This paper presents the performance, combustion and exhaust emission characteristics of a single cylinder, four stroke, direct injection, stationary diesel engine operated on HOME and HCNG in dual-fuel mode. From the results it is observed that HOME–HCNG combination gave lower brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and improved emission levels when compared with diesel/HOME in single fuel operation. Lower smoke and particulate matter were obtained with dual-fuel operation. Comparative measures of BTE, peak pressure, pressure–crank angle variation, smoke opacity, hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and NO_x emissions have been made and analysed.     

Studies on the use of low-volatile non-edible oils in a thermal barrier-coated diesel engine

Owing to the ever-increasing vehicle population, the consumption of diesel fuel in the transportation, agricultural and industrial sectors has increased at an alarming rate. This has led to rapid fossil fuel depletion, ozone depletion and environmental degradation, which have become a serious concern. Search for alternative renewable and clean energy fuel sources to mitigate the emissions of greenhouse gases is continuing, and attempts to find different techniques for efficient utilization of these fuels are also undertaken. Biodiesel being an oxygenated fuel obtained from vegetable oils has received greater attention over the years as a promising alternative to diesel fuel. However, vegetable oils exhibit high viscosity, poor volatility and poor cold-flow characteristics. These characteristics can cause the following problems in the engine when run for a longer duration: injector coking, severe engine deposits, filter gumming, piston ring sticking and thickening of lubrication. These problems can be eliminated or minimized by adopting suitable fuel processing techniques to obtain biodiesels from vegetable oils. The fuel processing techniques vary widely, which include transesterification, supercritical methanolysis, ultrasonic and continuous microwave-assisted transesterification methods. In the present study, the transesterification method is effectively used to obtain biodiesels from non-edible oils of honne and cotton seed. The biodiesels obtained from these oils were used in the unmodified diesel engine to check their feasibility as diesel engine alternatives. Different thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) were applied on the piston, cylinder head, and inlet and exhaust valve surfaces of the diesel engine in order to make it a fully adiabatic engine. The engine with such TBCs is called a low heat rejection engine. For the present study, the TBC of partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) and aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) were selected. Finally, the performance of the diesel engine fuelled with different biodiesels in both conventional and thermal barrier-coated modes was compared. The thermal barrier-coated engine with the PSZ version showed better performance with increased nitric oxide emissions when compared with the Al₂O₃ coating.     

Effects of compression ratio,swirl augmentation techniques and ethanol addition on the combustion of CNG–biodiesel in a dual-fuel engine

The diminishing resources and continuously increasing cost of petroleum in association with their alarming pollution levels from diesel engines has led to an interest in finding alternative fuels to diesel. Emission control and engine efficiency are two of the most important parameters in current engine design. The impending introduction of emission standards such as Euro IV and Euro V has forced research towards developing new technologies for combating engine emissions. This paper examines the effects of compression ratio, swirl augmentation techniques and ethanol addition on the combustion of compressed natural gas (CNG) blended with Honge oil methyl esters (HOME) in a dual fuel engine. The present results show that the combustion of HOME and 15% ethanol blend with CNG induction in a dual-fuel engine operated in optimized parameters at an injection timing of 27° Before Top Dead Centre and a compression ratio of 17.5 resulted in acceptable combustion emissions and improved brake thermal efficiencies. The implementation of swirl augmentation techniques increased brake thermal efficiencies (BTEs) and considerably reduced combustion emissions such as smoke, HC, CO and NO_x. The addition of ethanol also increased BTEs. However, at more than 15% of ethanol in HOME, NO_x emissions increased dramatically.     

Effect of bioethanol and thermal barrier coating on the performance of dual fuel engine operating on Honge oil methyl ester (HOME) and producer gas induction

Alternative fuels have numerous advantages compared to fossil fuels as they are renewable, biodegradable; provide energy security and foreign exchange saving besides addressing environmental concerns and socio-economic issues as well. Renewable fuels can be used predominantly as fuel for both transportation and power generation applications. Improved engine performance with reduced engine exhaust emissions is a major research objective in engine development. Today, the use of biomass derived producer gas is more relevant for addressing rural power generation and is a promising technique for controlling both nitric oxide (NO_x) and soot emission levels. In view of this, exhaustive experiments on the use of Honge oil methyl ester (HOME)–Producer gas in a dual fuel engine have been carried out with an intension of improving its fuel efficiency. This paper mainly presents results on a single cylinder four stroke direct injection diesel engine operated in dual fuel mode using HOME–Producer gas combination with and without bio-ethanol addition and thermal barrier coating (TBC). Further, the results were compared with diesel–producer gas mode of operation. Experimental investigation on dual fuel operation using HOME+5% bioethanol (BE5)–Producer gas operation with TBC showed 12.35% increased brake thermal efficiency with decreased hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions and increased NO_x emission levels compared to HOME–Producer gas mode of operation.     

Performance of a twin cylinder diesel engine in dual fuel mode using woody biomass producer gas

Due to energy crisis and shortage of fossil fuel, there is a growing interest in alternative fuel for internal combustion engine. Producer gas presents a very promising alternative fuel to diesel since it is a renewable and clean burning fuel having properties similar to that of diesel. In this study, a twin cylinder dual fuel diesel engine is experimentally optimized for maximum diesel saving and lower emissions, without any undue vibration of engine using woody biomass producer gas. The test is carried out to study the performance and emission parameters of the engine in diesel mode and dual fuel mode at different gas flow rates under different load conditions. The study reveals that maximum diesel savings is found to be 83% at optimum gas flow rate and 8 kW load. Carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide emissions in dual fuel mode were higher compared with diesel mode at all test ranges. However, the main pollutants, such as nitrogen oxide and smoke, decrease substantially in the dual fuel mode compared with the diesel mode. Lower brake thermal efficiency and higher brake-specific energy consumption as well as exhaust gas temperature are observed in dual fuel mode compared with diesel mode.     

Combustion characteristics of a four-stroke CI engine operated on Honge and Jatropha oil methyl ester–ethanol blends when directly injected and dual fuelled with CNG induction

The demand for petroleum products in India has been increasing at a rate higher than the increase of domestic availability. At the same time, there is continuous pressure on emission control through periodically tightened regulations particularly in metropolitan cities. In the wake of this situation, there is an urgent need to promote the use of alternative fuels as substitutes for high-speed diesel. Dual-fuel mode of operation employing compressed natural gas (CNG) and plant oils such as Honge and Jatropha oils and their esters is an attractive option as our country has a large agriculture base that can be a feedstock to this fuel technology which can ease the burden on the economy by curtailing fuel imports. This paper presents the results of investigations carried out in studying the behaviour of Honge and Jatropha oil methyl esters and their blends with 15% ethanol and subsequent testing of these oils in a four-stroke, single-cylinder, water-cooled, direct-injection compression ignition engine in dual-fuel mode with CNG induction.     

Factors influencing NOx emission of a stationary diesel engine fuelled with crude rice bran oil methyl ester blend – Taguchi approach

The main objective of this work is to control the NO_x emission of a stationary diesel engine fuelled with crude rice bran oil methyl ester blend with less sacrifice on smoke density and brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and also to investigate the factors influencing the objective. Fuel injection timing, percentage of exhaust gas recirculation and fuel injection pressure are chosen as the promising factors for the objective and NO_x emission, smoke density and BTE are considered as response variables. Tests were conducted as per Taguchi’s L₉ orthogonal array and the most influencing factor for each response variable and also the significance of each factor on the same was found out through analysis of variance (ANOVA). Response graph was drawn for each response variable and from the results of response graph and ANOVA the optimum combination of the factor levels in achieving the objective was obtained and the same was confirmed experimentally.     

Effects of injection timing,injector opening pressure and nozzle geometry on the performance of cottonseed oil methyl ester-fuelled diesel engine

Increasing petroleum prices, increasing threat to the environment from exhaust emissions and global warming have generated intense international interest in developing renewable and alternative non-petroleum fuels for engines. Evolving technology and a recurring energy crisis necessitates a continuous investigation into the search for sustainable and clean-burning renewable fuels. In this paper, cottonseed oil methyl ester (COME) was used in a four-stroke, single-cylinder variable compression ratio diesel engine. Tests were carried out to study the effects of fuel injection timing, fuel injector opening pressure (IOP) and injector nozzle geometry on the performance and combustion of COME biodiesel fuel used in a compression ignition engine with a single fuel mode. Fuel injection timing varied from 19° to 27° before top dead centre (bTDC) in incremental steps of 4° bTDC; fuel IOP varied from 210 to 240 bar in incremental steps of 10 bar. Fuel nozzle injectors with three, four and five holes, each of 0.3 mm size, were selected for the study. The results suggested that with retarded injection timing of 19° bTDC, increased IOP of 230 bar and a four-hole nozzle injector of 0.3 mm size resulted in overall better engine performance with an increased brake thermal efficiency and reduced HC, CO and smoke emission levels.