Optimization of Control Factors for a Diesel Engine Fueled with Jatropha Seed Producer Gas on Dual Fuel Mode

Abstract

A combustible gas converted from carbonaceous material through gasification technology can be used to operate the internal combustion engine. Dual fueling of the diesel engine to run on the gasified biomass has been extensively investigated; however, optimization of control factors to offset operating cost and diesel and biomass consumption has remained largely unexplored. This study aims to optimize operating settings, i.e., diesel injection timing, gas flow rate, and engine load to maximize the overall desirability of specific diesel consumption, specific Jatropha seed consumption, and operating cost. The finding highlighted that the maximum desirability of 82.29% for the sampling design was obtained at the injection timing of 9° before top dead center (BTDC), the gas flow rate of roughly 9 kg/h, and the high engine load. The concept of this study can also be applied to other bioenergy types.