Effect of Basil Oil on the Performance of Biodiesel Fuelled Agricultural Engine

The rapidly depleting fossil fuel resources and stringent emission norms have given importance to research of alternative fuels, especially in relation to reduction of greenhouse gases and global warming. In the work presented, biodiesel was derived from honge oil, which is non-edible. The oxidation stability of honge oil biodiesel is low due to the content of unsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, basil oil was used as a natural antioxidant to this biodiesel and the effect of this additive on the engine performance was studied. The addition of basil oil to the honge oil biodiesel increases its oxidation stability thanks to free radical scavenging activities of the basil oil. A set of engine tests was carried out on the agricultural diesel engine with honge oil biodiesel with different concentrations of basil oil. The engine tests showed that the addition of basil oil with the concentration of 1,000 ppm reduces the engine exhaust emissions in contrast to diesel. Basil oil does not have any significant impact on the engine brake thermal efficiency. Based on this work, it is possible to conclude that basil oil can be used as a natural additive to honge oil biodiesel for the purposes of oxidation stability improvement and significant reduction of oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) emission.