Experimental investigation on the combustion characteristics of a diesel engine fueled with Jatropha curcas oil

The performance of internal combustion(IC) engine is related with combustion processes. It is very important for the practical application of jatropha curcas oil in diesel engine by studying its combustion characteristics. Without changing the structure of the diesel engine, the Indicator Diagram of the diesel engine is measured by when it is fueled with diesel, jatropha curcas oil and preheated jatropha curcas oil (150°C) at different conditions. Then the combustion characteristics are analyzed by studying the Indicator Diagram. The results showe that the timing of combustion advances, the maximum value of heat release rate increases, and the combustion duration prolongs at rated condition for the jatropha curcas oil. So Jatropha curcas oil preheated to 150°C could be used as an alternative fuel for diesel engine.