Effect of bio‐based supplementary fuel to Improve combustion and emission characteristics of Biodiesel fueled diesel engines

Biodiesel fueled diesel engines suffer from cold starting problems, increased nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions and higher viscosity when compared with diesel fuel. In this research work, Diethyl ether (DEE) which is a renewable bio‐based fuel has been used as a supplementary oxygenated additive to improve fuel properties and combustion characteristics of biodiesel (Karanja oil methyl ester ‐ KOME) through an experimental investigation. The tests were conducted on a single cylinder DI diesel engine fueled with neat KOME as a base fuel and blends of 5, 10, 15 and 20% DEE on a volume basis.