RA Chandgude1, MV Taur1, Rachana Bhokare2 and MR Nandgaonkar2
1Vasantdada Sugar Institute, Pune, Maharashtra, India
2College of Engineering, Pune Technological University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
The Indian sugar industry has gradually transformed Indian economy from oil, gas, and fossil fuels to self-dependent bioenergy. By 2025, India plans to achieve a 20% ethanol blending in fuel to decrease vehicle pollution and lessen its reliance on fossil fuel imports. This shift will significantly help transition to net-zero carbon goals by 2070 and ensure sustainability. Most of the ethanol in India is produced from sugarcane juice, syrup, B heavy molasses, C molasses, and food grains, but current E20 ethanol blending is only applicable to petrol-based vehicles. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of using diesel-ethanol fuel on combustion, engine performance, and emissions in twin-cylinder, four-stroke common-rail direct-injection (CRDI) engines. The research was conducted at 2000 and 2400 rpm under different loads (10, 20, 30, and 40 Nm) and injection openings (0%, 20%, 40%, and 60%) to assess the impact of ethanol blending on diesel-engine performance and emissions. When diesel is mixed with up to 20% ethanol, the resulting blend produces a higher brake power. Increasing the ethanol content in the mix leads to lower emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons. This could contribute to a low-carbon economy and improve sustainability of the sugarcane industry.