Effect of Additional Air Supply for Combustion of Straight Vegetable Oil Blends on Performance of Mini Hot Water Generator

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the efficient combustion of blends of Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) with diesel, fired in a non-commercial hot water generator. The high viscosity and poor atomization characteristics of straight vegetable oil lower the combustion and thermal efficiency of the system. An additional air supply system has been used to provide sufficient amount of air into the furnace to improve the mixing of fuel droplets and oxygen in the air.  Thermal efficiency and emission characteristics of 25% and 50% blends of straight sunflower oil and rice bran oil with diesel have been studied with and without additional air supply. Thermal efficiency of the hot water generator has been found to be increased when the quantity of additional air supply is increased.  Moreover, the emissions of CO and HC have been reduced by the additional air supply.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.24.2.19783