Mathematical modeling of the working temperatures ofa diesel engine coupled to a generator and powered by a diesel-Jatropha oil blend

Abstract

In this work, mathematical models to correlate the working temperatures of a diesel engine with the load and the oil content of Jatropha in dieselwere developed. A Lister Petter indirect injection engine was usedand a blend of dieselfuel with5 and 10% of Jatrophaoil. A Factorial Design was used to plan the experiments and the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in order to develop the correlations. The obtained models may be used to predict the exhaust gases temperatures and the coolant temperatures at the inlet and outlet of the radiator. The Jatropha oil content in the fuel did not cause significant changes in the exhaust gas or coolant temperatures. The diesel blendwith 10% of Jatropha oil does not produce changes in thethermal behavior of the engine,so just taking into account this single approach, blends can be used in this type of engine without making any modifications.