This document summarizes a study on the performance of an engine running on biodiesel made from neem oil. Neem biodiesel B20 (20% neem oil and 80% diesel) was tested. The biodiesel was produced through a transesterification process. Tests on the engine found that B20 had higher thermal efficiency and lower exhaust temperatures and smoke compared to pure diesel. Overall, the study concluded that B20 showed the best performance characteristics of the biodiesel blends tested and could be a preferable substitute for pure diesel in vehicles.

1. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET), ISSN 0976 – 6340(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6359(Online), Volume 5, Issue 4, April (2014), pp. 51-60 © IAEME
51
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF NEEM BIO DIESEL (B20)
K. TARUN1, G. SAI GNANARKA2, S. ABHINAV3, K. SAI SATVIK4
1, 2, 3, 4
(Dept. of MECHANICAL, Vasavi College of Engg., Hyderabad, India)
ABSTRACT
Today energy crisis is worldwide because conventional forms os energy supply and
consumption are causing serious economical and environmental problems. Biodiesel is a
domestically produced, renewable fuel that can be manufactured from new and used vegetable oils,
animal fats and recycled restaurant grease. Neem Biodiesel B20(20% neem oil+80% diesel) can be
used as a substitute for the fossil fuel(diesel). In this paper, the experimental methodology of
preparing the biodiesel by transesterification process, properties of the fuel and the behaviour of the
diesel engine running on this fuel is discussed.
Keywords: Neem Biodiesel B20, Transesterification.
INTRODUCTION
Biodiesel is produced from renewable sources such as vegetable oils, animal fats and
recycled cooking oils. Chemically it is defined as the "mono alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids"
derived from renewable liquid sources. Bio diesel is typically produced by reacting vegetable
oil or animal fat with methanol in the presence of a catalyst to yield glycerin and bio diesel. It is a
substitute for an additive to diesel fuel that is derived from the oils and fats of plants. It is an
alternative fuel that requires no engine modifications and provide power similar to conventional
diesel fuel and it contributes no net CO2 or sulphur to the atmosphere and is low in particulate
emissions. Due to high Bio-diesel costs, engine compatibility issues, and cold weather operating
concerns, Bio-diesel is often blended with conventional diesel fuel. Common Bio-diesel blends are
B20 (20% Bio-diesel and 80% petroleum diesel). The environmental benefits associated with using
Bio-diesel scale with the percentage of Bio-diesel contained in the fuel blend. B-20 i.e.,
blend -20 has been prepared by adding 200 ml of neem oil to 800ml of diesel (20%neem oil,
80% diesel) in a bottle and is stirred vigorously for obtaining homogeneous blend.
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2. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET), ISSN 0976 – 6340(Print),
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PROPERTY DIESEL BIO-DIESEL
Appearance Light Yellow Pale Yellow
Odor Aroma Pleasant Aroma
Bio-Degradability Relatively Slow Four times faster than
Diesel
Flammability Flammable Non Flammable
TABLE: Comparision of physical properties between diesel and biodiesel
PROPERTY DIESEL BIO-DIESEL
Density 430-450kg/m3 875-900kg/m3
Boiling Point 250-3500C 2000C
Specific Gravity 0.81-0.96 0.84
Cetane Number >51 >49
Flash Point 52-960C 130-1500C
Fire Point 2100C 1600C
Kinematic Viscocity 2-5 3.5-5 mm2 /s at 400C
EXPERIMENTAL METHODOLOGY
Transesterification Process: Biodiesel fuel blend can be conventionally prepared by using alkali or
acid as catalyst. 100gm of refined neem oil is mixed with 12gm of alcohol and 1gm of sodium
hydroxide (NaOH) which acts as catalyst. The experiments were conducted in a manner similar to
Soxhlet extraction apparatus. This mixture is taken in a 500ml round bottomed flask. The amount of
catalyst that should be added to the reactor varies from 0.5% to 1% w/w. Using magnetic stirrer and
heater equipment the above mixture is thoroughly mixed and maintained at a temperature of 50-55
0C for two hours. The mixture is now allowed to settle for 24 hours at which two separate layers are
obtained. The top layer will be methyl ester of neem oil (fatty acid methyl ester (FAME)
i.e,. biodiesel) and the bottom one glycerin. Using a conical separating funnel the glycerin is
separated at the bottom. To separate the FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) from glycerol, catalyst
(NaOH) and methanol, washing was carried out with warm water. Further water and methanol will
be removed by distillation. Then the NaOH, Glycerol, methanol and water was treated with
phosphoric acid for neutralizing the catalyst. Finally glycerin is obtained as a byproduct in case of
alkali transesterification process. Fig.1. shows the experimental set up of the process.

3. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET), ISSN 0976 – 6340(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6359(Online), Volume 5, Issue 4, April (2014), pp. 51-60 © IAEME
53
TESTING OF IC ENGINES WITH BIO DIESEL
The following equipment has been used for the experimental work(Fig.2.) carried out in
applied thermo dynamics laboratory. This setup has the provision for to do work on measurement of
different parameters and performances .Separate fuel tank is arranged to supply different proportions
of diesel and oil.
Procedure:
1. The engine was started at no load condition and allowed to work for at least 10 minutes to
stabilize.
2. The readings such as time for 10cc fuel consumption, speed, manometer reading, exhaust
temperature etc., were taken as per the observation table.
3. The load on the engine was increased by 20% of FULL Load using the engine controls and
the readings were taken as shown in the tables.
4. Step 3 was repeated for different loads from no load to full load.
5. After completion of test, the load on the engine was completely relieved and then the engine
was stopped and the results are calculated.
Fig.2. Experimental Setup

4. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET), ISSN 0976 – 6340(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6359(Online), Volume 5, Issue 4, April (2014), pp. 51-60 © IAEME
54
Viscocity Test
The viscometer (Fig.4.) consists of a metal cup with an axially placed orifice in the base.
The hole can be closed by a metal ball or a rod. The metal cup can be heated and the oil is stirred to
ensure uniform temperature conditions. When the ball is removed, a thin stream of oil runs in to a
small graduated glass flask kept underneath and the time to fill the flask is recorded which represents
the viscosity of oil at that temperature.
Kinematic viscosity=At-B/t
Where A=0.26, B=1790
Fig.3. Experimental setup of IC Engine Test Rig Fig.4. Redwood Viscometer
Smoke Test
Hartridge smoke meter is used for the smoke test. By pressing power switch on the front
panel and checking that the measuring equipment is switched on and after waiting for 20 seconds,
the system will itself go to CAL mode and by pressing test, current value of capacity is displayed.
Fig.5. Hartridge Smokemeter

5. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET), ISSN 0976 – 6340(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6359(Online), Volume 5, Issue 4, April (2014), pp. 51-60 © IAEME
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OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS PURE DIESEL
Table 3.1: Pure Diesel
15%NEEM OIL, 85%DIESEL
Table 4.1: 15%Neem Oil, 85%Diesel
Table 4.2: 15%Neem Oil, 85%Diesel

6. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET), ISSN 0976 – 6340(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6359(Online), Volume 5, Issue 4, April (2014), pp. 51-60 © IAEME
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Table 3.2: Pure Diesel
20% NEEM OIL, 80%DIESEL
Table 4.3: 20%Neem Oil, 80%Diesel
25% NEEM OIL, 75% DIESEL
Table 4.4: 25% Neem oil, 75% Diesel

7. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET), ISSN 0976 – 6340(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6359(Online), Volume 5, Issue 4, April (2014), pp. 51-60 © IAEME
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SMOKE TEST
Table 4.3: 20%Neem Oil, 80%Diesel
Table 4.4: 25% Neem oil, 75% Diesel
VISCOCITY TEST

8. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET), ISSN 0976 – 6340(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6359(Online), Volume 5, Issue 4, April (2014), pp. 51-60 © IAEME
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GRAPHS

9. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET), ISSN 0976 – 6340(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6359(Online), Volume 5, Issue 4, April (2014), pp. 51-60 © IAEME
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RESULTS
Brake thermal Efficiency: 1 it is observed that break thermal efficiency for blends of neem oil and
diesel oil is higher than that of pure diesel during engine operation.
Air-Fuel ratio: Air fuel ratio for various loads of an engine operation with blend of fuel is noted. It
is seen that 20% neem oil and 80% diesel has more air fuel ratio when compared with diesel.
Brake specific Fuel Consumption: Specific fuel consumption for various loads of an engine is
noted. It is found that for almost all loads, the specific fuel consumption slightly decreased with
increase in blend number.
Mechanical Efficiency: Mechanical efficiency for various loads of an engine operation with blend
of fuel is noted. It is seen that 20% neem oil and 80% diesel has more mechanical efficiency when
compared with diesel and with other blends.
Volumetric Efficiency: It is observed that volumetric efficiency is high for B20 when compared
with diesel at no load and at maximum condition.
Exhaust Temperature: Exhaust temperature for various loads of an engine operation with blend of
fuel is noted. It is found that, B20 (20% neem oil and 80% diesel) has less exhaust temperature at
maximum load when compared with diesel.
Indicated thermal efficiency: It is found that indicated thermal efficiency is more for B20
(20% neem oil and 80% diesel) when compared with diesel at maximum load.
Percentage of smoke vs Load: Percentage of smoke is more for diesel than compare to neem at no
load condition.
CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to replace fossil fuel (diesel) with all its economic and ecological disadvantages,
with Neem Bio Diesel which is renewable and easily available
The above test leads to an inference that, B20 (20%neem oil + 80%diesel) has the Best
performance characteristics which are explained below.
• Brake thermal and Mechanical efficiencies for B20 is about 30.29% and 92.34% which are
higher when compared with pure diesel and this characteristics implies that maximum
thermal input from fuel is converted into mechanical work (wheel power) thus making
this blend more efficient.
• Indicated thermal efficiency of B20 is high when compared to diesel and thus maximum
potential heat would be delivered as work.
• Exhaust temperature of B20 has least value, thus life of engine components can be improved.
• Volumetric efficiency of B20 is more when compared to pure diesel, engine output can be
increased.
• Air fuel ratio for B20 is higher i.e., more air is drawn into it which results in high
efficient combustion and greater cooling effect.
• Additionally, the smoke test conducted shows that B20 blend has the least NOx emissions
I.e., 24.6% when compared to the pure diesel which has 30.6% NOx emissions.
• Thus it can be concluded that, as B20 has the most suitable characteristics, it is preferable
and suggestible to employ in vechicles.

10. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET), ISSN 0976 – 6340(Print),
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