Sustainable Energy Alternatives: Prosopis Juliflora Methyl Ester as a Substitute Fuel

Strategic Insights -

A new report highlights the urgent need for sustainable, eco-friendly energy alternatives in the face of rapidly depleting conventional fuels and volatile diesel prices. Researchers from the SRM Institute of Science and Technology, in collaboration with King Saud University, have explored the potential of Prosopis Juliflora methyl ester (JFME) as a substitute fuel, combined with amyl alcohol and decanol blends, both with and without hydrogen induction.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study assesses the performance, combustion, emissions, and vibration parameters of a water-cooled, single-cylinder compression ignition (CI) engine running on JFME, amyl alcohol, and decanol blends, as well as hydrogen induction.
  • The experimental results show that the A20 blend (amyl alcohol and decanol at a 20% volumetric ratio) exhibits the maximum heat release rate (HRR) and peak pressure, with comparable brake thermal efficiency (BTE) as diesel, while significantly decreasing smoke and NO emissions.
  • Enriching A20 and D20 with hydrogen induction improves BTE and decreases smoke, CO, and HC emissions due to hydrogen's high flame speed and higher heating value.
  • The utilization of the A20 blend with 10 lpm hydrogen (A20+H10) presents a promising dual-fuel option for diesel engines, offering improved efficiency and reduced emissions.

Statistics:

  • The engine delivered 5.2 kW of power at 1500 rpm.
  • The A20 blend exhibited the maximum heat release rate (HRR) of 2.5 MPa and peak pressure of 60 bar.
  • The BTE of A20 was comparable to diesel, with a reduction in smoke emissions by 29% and NO emissions by 7%.
  • Enriching A20 with 10 lpm hydrogen improved BTE by 12% and decreased smoke emissions by 25%.

Sources:

  • "Enhancing Performance and Reducing Emissions With Renewable Fuels: Prosopis Juliflora Methyl Ester-alcohol Blends With Hydrogen In a Compression Ignition Engine." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2025;142:1211-1224.
  • Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England.
  • www.elsevier.com; www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-hydrogen-energy/
  • SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Dept. of Automobile Engineering, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • Boopathi Duraisamy, M. Jerome Stanley, Sundaram Palanichamy, Edwin Geo Varuvel, Ankit Sonthalia, Marutholi Mubarak, Thiyagarajan Subramanian, J. Godwin John, Arunachalam Chinnathambi, and Arivalagan Pugazhendhi.