Abstract:

In this present study, the bio-oil is derived from Stoechospermum marginatum, brown seaweed through soxhlet oil extraction method. n-hexane is used as a solvent for rupturing the cell wall membrane and extracting the bio-oil. Single-stage base catalysed transesterification method is adopted considering the presence of low free-fatty acid contents.Mineral diesel and diesel-algal biodiesel blend are the primary test fuels. Di-ethyl ether is used as oxygenate to the diesel- algal biodiesel blend to enhance the performance and emission characteristics. The physio-chemical properties of oxygenated fuel blends showed a significant decrease in density and kinematic viscosity along with a notable increase in the Cetane number. The experimental investigation revealed that the addition of di-ethyl ether to diesel-algal biodiesel blend enhanced the brake thermal efficiency significantly along with reduction in brake specific fuel consumption. The emission parameters of oxygenated fuel blends like carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon notably decreased along with a marginal increase in oxides of nitrogen emission.<

Keywords: