Evaluating the performance of a diesel engine with a diesel-plastic fuel blend as an alternate fuel

As energy demand rises, dwindling petroleum reserves and fluctuating fuel prices have made the search for alternative fuels for diesel engines critical. Converting plastic waste into fuel offers a solution to both environmental pollution from plastic waste and the need for sustainable energy sources. Plastics, derived from petrochemical sources, are rich in hydrocarbons, making them suitable for oil production. In this study, plastic oil (PO) was tested in a single-cylinder diesel engine, and its performance was compared to diesel fuel (DF). The engine, a 4-stroke, single-cylinder Kirloskar model rated at 2.8 kW (3.75 hp) at 1500 rpm, was tested using pure PO and blends of PO and diesel (ranging from 20% to 100% PO). The fuel properties of PO were found to be similar to those of diesel, with blending further improving its characteristics. An 80% PO and 20% diesel blend showed a 5.9 % increase in thermal efficiency at maximum load. However, PO produced slightly higher noise levels than diesel. The results indicated that the engine could operate on 100% PO without major issues, confirming that plastic oil is a viable alternative fuel for diesel engines.