Biomethanation using Water Hyacinth with Cow Dung and Performance Evaluation of High Speed Diesel Engine using Gas and Diesel

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1 International Journal of ChemTech Research CODEN( USA): IJCRGG ISSN : Vol.6, No.2, pp , April-June 2014 Biomethanation using Water Hyacinth with Cow Dung and Performance Evaluation of High Speed Diesel Engine using Gas and Diesel C. Prabha 1, M. Lakshmi Prabha 2 * & Madhan Sam D 1 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2 Department of Biotechnology, Karunya University, Coimbatore , India. *Corres.author: lakshmi.prabha48@gmail.com Abstract: Bio-gas is a form of energy produced when organic materials such as animal excrement or products that are left over from agriculture are fermented easily and at low cost. The advantage of bio-gas is that it replaces other energy sources like charcoal, firewood, electricity, liquid petroleum gas and oil. In our present study an attempt has been made to produce Biogas from Bio Methanation of water hyacinths and cow dung and testing the performance of gas and diesel using high speed diesel engine. Keywords: Biogas, cowdung, water hyacinth, high speed diesel engine. INTRODUCTION Biogas, a renewable source of energy which is also environmentally friendly, is generated via anaerobic digestion of biomass wastes (animal dung, plant residues, waste waters, municipal solid wastes, human and agro industrial wastes etc.). Biogas production is a three stage biochemical process comprising of hydrolysis, acidogenesis/ acetogenesis and methanogenesis. The effluent of this process is a residue which is rich in essential inorganic elements needed for healthy plant growth known as biofertilizer which when applied to the soil enriches it with no detrimental effects on the environment 1. Water hyacinths are considered as nuisance species because they multiply rapidly and clog lakes, rivers and ponds. Since the plant has abundant nitrogen content, it can be used a substrate for biogas production. Biomass experiments involving the use of water hyacinth for the production of biogas for cooking seemed to present a viable option. Biogas is an ecological fuel that may replace firewood. Water hyacinth's abundant biomass can be used to produce renewable energy locally, simply by fermenting it in an anaerobic digester. The fermentation process takes a longer time period in the case of water hyacinth. Water hyacinth often invades bodies of water that have been impacted by human activities. For example, the plants can unbalance natural lifecycles in artificial reservoirs that receive large amounts of nutrients. 2

2 M.Lakshmi Prabha et al /Int.J. ChemTech Res.2014,6(2),pp MATERIALS AND METHODS 1. Optimization of Startup Process: Feeding active ferment from other well-functioning digester, Adding reagents, such as lime, carbonic acid, alkali and others, Initial filling of dieter with warm water and gradual addition of manure,filling digester with fresh manure, hot gases and gradual feeding of manure. For proving stable growth of microorganisms during the startup period the heating of the substrate should be gradually increased for not more than 2ºС daily until it reaches 35-37ºС. During the heat up process substrate has to be intensively agitated. After 7-8 days bacteria becomes very active and biogas production starts. 2. Process Stabilization: The digesting process will stabilize more quickly if the slurry is agitated frequently and intensively. Once the process has been stabilized, the large volume of unfermented biomass will result in a high rate of gas production. Regular loading can commence after gas production has dropped off to the expected level. 3. Gas Holder Preparation: Gas holders can only be prepared for use after acceptance and checkout according to specifications and after examination by State engineering supervision service. Outside check has to confirm proper functioning of control equipment of the gas holder. 4. Gas Quality: As soon as the biogas becomes reliably combustible, it can be used for the intended purposes. Less-than-optimum performance of the appliances due to inferior gas quality should be regarded as acceptable at first. However, the first two gasholder fillings should be vented unused for reasons of safety, since residual oxygen poses an explosion hazard. 5. Collection Of Biogas: The produced combustible biogas is collected in balloons having capacity of 1.5 m 3 and 1 m 3 respectively. The balloon is connected to the reactor through the transparent hose. The flow of biogas is measured by air flow meter connected between balloon and the reactor. Each and every day the floating drum in the reactor gets lifted up due to the increase in pressure in the flammable biogas. Then the biogas is let out through the hose connected to the balloon. After the balloon is completely filled with biogas, it is taken for the experimental setup work. C.I ENGINE AND ALTERNATOR SETUP 1. Running up Repaired Engine: An engine which was coupled with a pump for sucking waste water is taken from the automobile lab and then the non-working part (i.e.) the pump is uncoupled from the engine. Then the engine parts are altered and it is fed with new engine oil and diesel. After altering engine parts the engine is repaired and made ready in running condition. A few trial runs are done to test the working condition of the engine. 2. Coupling of Alternator And Engine: To apply a load, an alternator is taken from another engine. Then the alternator is coupled with the repaired engine by increasing the shaft diameter of coupling and a lock nut key is also altered. The alternator height is increased along with the engine to match the height and to get them coupled. 3. Fixing up Chassis for Engine And Alternator: After the alternator and the engine are made ready in running condition the perfect chassis is fixed to the setup. To make it convenient for usage the chassis is provided with wheels. To reduce the vibration caused by running the engine and alternator, the setup is welded with the chassis. 4. Connecting Electrical Load to the Alternator In order to find out the exact load applied to the alternator an electrical load is connected to the alternator. It consists of eighteen 200W bulbs. The load is applied to the alternator by switching on the bulbs present in the apparatus. For varying loads the corresponding diesel consumption is noted and the respective voltage and current is also taken care of.

3 M.Lakshmi Prabha et al /Int.J. ChemTech Res.2014,6(2),pp Setup Modification Work: To note the consumption of diesel for varying loads, a diesel consumption apparatus is connected to the engine. From there the flow of diesel is regulated by a knob. By this way the diesel consumption is calculated with the time taken for 10cc of diesel consumption. For the entry of biogas the inlet manifold is altered, so that biogas and atmospheric air can enter through it at the same time. For regulating the flow of biogas an air flow meter is kept in between the balloon and the engine. By that air flow meter the mass flow rate of bio gas is calculated. Atlast the engine is started and the diesel consumption for diesel alone and diesel along with biogas is taken and the required calculations are done 3. Performance Parameters: In the evaluation of engine performance certain basic parameter are chosen and the effect of various operating conditions on these parameters are studied. Indicated : It is the total power developed in the working cylinder by the gases on the combustion side of the working pistons. : It is the total power measured at the driving shaft. Specific Fuel Consumption: It is the quantity of fuel consumed per unit of power per unit of time. It is generally expressed in gm of fuel consumed per hr. or B.H.P/bp 4. Results and Discussion Table1: Result of engine performance with pure diesel Load (W) Total Fuel Consumpti on kg/hr Specific Fuel Consumpti on kg/hr Indicat ed Mechainic al Ƞmech (%) Thermal ȠBT (%) Table 2: Result of engine performance with Diesel and gas Load (W) Total Fuel Consumpt ion kg/hr Specific Fuel Consumpti on kg/hr Indicat ed Mechainic al Ƞmech (%) Thermal ȠBT (%)

4 M.Lakshmi Prabha et al /Int.J. ChemTech Res.2014,6(2),pp Fig 1 and Fig 2 represents the Load vs. Total Fuel Consumption at all loads, the total fuel consumption of diesel is greater than the total fuel consumption of diesel with gas. Fig 3 and fig. 4 illustrates the Load vs. mechanical efficiency at all loads mechanical efficiency of diesel with gas which is greater than the mechanical efficiency of diesel. From the fig. 5 and fig.6 it is evident that the Load vs. thermal efficiency at all loads, brake thermal efficiency of diesel with gas is greater than brake thermal efficiency of diesel.

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7 M.Lakshmi Prabha et al /Int.J. ChemTech Res.2014,6(2),pp CONCLUSION The use of pre-treated water hyacinth for biogas generation therefore will be a good energy source. The products obtained from the anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic substrates are biogas. The use of enriched and pretreated water hyacinth for biogas generation therefore, will be a good energy source for those residing in the coastal areas, which face the menace of clogging of waterways by the weed. Biogas can be used readily in all applications designed for natural gas such as direct combustion including absorption heating and cooling, cooking, drying, and gas turbines, fueling internal combustion engines and fuel cells for production of mechanical work and/or electricity. If cleaned up to adequate standards it may be injected into gas pipelines and provide illumination and steam production. Finally, through a catalytic chemical oxidation methane can be used in the production of methanol production. Biogas, if compressed for use as an alternative transportation fuel in light and heavy duty vehicles, i t can use the same existing technique for fueling w h i c h i s already being used for compressed natural gas vehicles. In many countries, biogas is viewed as an environmentally attractive alternative to diesel and gasoline for operating buses and other local transit vehicles. The sound level generated by methanepowered engines is generally lower than that generated by diesel engines and the exhaust fume emissions are considered lower than the emission from diesel engines, and the emission of nitrogen oxides is very low. Application of biogas in mobile engine requires compression to high pressure gas (>3000 psig) and may be t h e best applied in fleet vehicles. A refueling station may be required to lower fueling time and provide adequate fuel storage. In C.I engines the process of atomization and distribution of the fuel as well as mixing of the fuel, atmospheric air and biogas all must be accomplished within the combustion chamber. The pressure at which the biogas is sent inside the engine is very important considering the efficiency of the engine and fuel consumption. The raw materials of biogas should be perfectly mixed to get the maximum output of it. The reactor should be kept closed and should not be opened at any condition. The gas producing bacteria inside the reactor won t produce any gas if the reactor is opened. REFERENCES 1. Anand, R.C., Singh, R., (1993). A simple technique: charcoal coating around the digester improves biogas production in winter. Bioresour.Technol.45, Baserja, U., (1984). Biogas production from cow dung: influence of time and fresh liquid manure. Swiss-Biotech. 2, Stefan MIHIC., (2004), Biogas fuel for internal combustion engines :Study about importance of biogas among the renewable energy sources to run I.C engines. 4. Ivet Ferrer, Jordi Palatsi, Elena Campos, Xavier Flotats., (2008), Increasing biogas production by thermal (70 C) sludge pre-treatment prior to thermophilic anaerobic digestion, Biochemical Engineering Journal 42, *****