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ATERNATIVE FUELS

ADHIPARASAKTHI ENGINEERING COLLEGE

MELMARUVATHUR

ACETYLENE AS ALTERNATE
FUEL FOR SI ENGINES

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BY,
S.DINESH
B.SURESH RAJAN
CONTACT US:

Ring us

dinmech_87@yahoo.co.in

04427431197

sureshrajan_1@rediffmail.com

9994095100

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Abstract
This paper is aimed to give an alternate to all alternate fuels by introducing an
environmentally clean fuel for an internal combustion engine, comprising acetylene as a
primary fuel. .One important factor that makes acetylene safer than other fuels is the fact
that it is lighter than air and dissipates upward. Other combustible gases and petroleum
liquids will "pool" when released and pose the threat of accidental ignition and migration
to low areas away from the original source. This is why gasoline and propane are
restricted from use in ships, barges, enclosed vessels and mines. Acetylene, however,
rises and dissipates, significantly reducing the threat of accidental ignition or
explosion. The acetylene fuel, internal combustion system, which generally utilizes a
two-stage process for start-up and operation and can be operated with air cooling, is
environmentally clean with hydrocarbon, CO, NO, and SO emissions are substantially
reduced. Since the raw material from which acetylene is generated is calcium carbide
which is cheap and easily available so the production of gas is not going to be a hard
task. Moreover the power and efficiency of the system when acetylene is used is
substantially increased. These qualities of acetylene make it more flexible to use it as an
economical fuel (Alternative) in the commercial SI engine.

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INTRODUCTION:
Modern sophisticated world is in search for a substitute for the fast
depleting fossil fuels. The original concept is to identify an alternative fuel source that is
clean, safe and affordable for construction applications that did not result in a loss of
horsepower, efficiency or convenience. Early research into the field revealed that most
"alternative fuel" proposals in the past had suffered from problems ranging from fuel
efficiency to availability of raw fuel sources to intermittent reliability of technology.
While most individuals tend to associate acetylene with welding and cutting
applications, we recognized the efficiency and power of the carbon-based compound
(acetylene) and used it as a fuel stock in the SI engines. Before commercializing it, it is
necessary to study and understand the various performance features of acetylene. We
made a thorough study over its properties and worked as a group in this research project.
The results of the projects are summarized in this manuscript paper.

REQUIREMENTS OF A GOOD FUEL:

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A fuel is a combustible substance, carbon as the

main constituent, which on burning gives a large amount of heat and light.
The requirements of a good fuel are..,
High calorific value
Moderate ignition temperature
Spontaneous combustion
Easily controllable combustion
Low moisture content
Absence of non combustible matter
Safe and economical
Cheap and reliable
Eco friendly

Still now it is challenging to the engineers of the present world to discover a

fuel which satisfies all these norms. However researches are under process to
reduce the margin. As a result of this continuous research it is found that a
hydrocarbon, acetylene nearly satisfies the needs. Its performances - when used in
engine - are illustrated in this paper.

ACETYLENE AS FUEL
ACETYLENE:
Acetylene is a hydrocarbon which belongs to Alkynes group. The triple
bond in its structure facilitates it to liberate large quantity of heat during combustion.
This liberated heat is used in power stroke of the engine to produce power.

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STRUCTURE:

ATERNATIVE FUELS
FORMULA:

PROPERTIES:
56,000 KJ/m3

Calorific value
Autoignition temperature

325 C

Molecular weight :

26.038 g/mol

Boiling point (1.013 bar) :

-83.8 C

Melting point :

-84 C

Critical pressure

61.91 bar

Compressibility Factor (Z) (1.013 bar and 15 C

: 0.9924

Heat capacity at constant pressure (Cp) (1.013

bar and 15.6 C

: 0.041 kJ/(mol.K)

Heat capacity at constant volume (Cv) (1.013 bar

and 15.6 C

: 0.033 kJ/(mol.K)

Gas density (1.013 bar and 15 C )

1.11 kg/m3

COMPARISION OF CALORIFIC VALUES:

Component
Acetylene
Petrol
Diesel

Value
3

53200 KJ/m
48000 KJ/Kg
44000 KJ/Kg

By this chart it is well clear that the acetylene has higher calorific value than other
commercial fossil fuels.

OUR WORK
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ACETYLE AS FUEL IN SI ENGINE

Purpose of work:

Demonstration that a spark-ignition gasoline engine can be run on

acetylene.

Engine efficiency assessment of the acetylene.

SUMMARY OF WORK
Test Conducted: In Our College Automobile Lab
Engine Used: Honda (Gen.set)
Power of Engine: 3 Hp
Power output: 1200W (electrical)
Dynamometer: Electrical type

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:
The components involved in our test are,
ACETYLENE REACTOR: It is the reactor from which acetylene is generated.

The reactor has two - third of its volume filled with water. When Calcium
carbide pellets are fed into the reactor it reacts with water and produces
acetylene gas. The amount of gas produced depends on the quantity of
pellets and water added. The produced gas is cooled by the excess water
present in the reactor. The reaction taking place in the reactor is,

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ENGINE: The Honda engine used is a gen.set. This gen.set used is petrol start petrol run
type. The output of the gen.set is 1200W (electrical).The output of the gen.set is
measured by means of an electrical dynamometer.
FLOW METER AND BUBBLE CHAMBER: The flow meter is used here to allow the
correct mass flow rate of acetylene to the engine. The bubble chamber is used to reduce
the temperature of the gas flowing through the tubes.
NEEDLE VALVE: The needle valve is used here to control the flow rate of the gas. it
also prevents the back flow of the gas.

SAFTEY MEASURES:
Fixing needle valve
Fixing Flow meter
Bubble chamber

to avoid back flow

for proper regulation of flow

to reduce temperature in hose lines

Also the Acetylene reactor and the engine are separated as far as possible to
prevent unfortunate accidents.
The acetylene cylinder is to be placed in vertical position only. It should
not be placed in the horizontal position in order to avoid accidents
LINE DIAGRAM:

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STARTUP:
At initial stages of our project we used petrol for starting the engine and
later on we adapted acetylene itself for both starting and running operations.

TEST STEPS:
Initially the engine was first allowed to run purely with commercial
fossil fuel (Petrol) and its performances were calculated with 0%,
25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% load.
Then the engine was allowed to run with Acetylene fuel with proper
air fuel ratio and its performances were calculated with 0%, 25%,
50%, 75%, and 100% load.
Their performance result shows that Acetylene is comparatively better
than Petrol in many aspects.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS:

RESULTS:
The results to which we had arrived are tabulated below,
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PARAMETER

Efficiency

ATERNATIVE FUELS

WITH PETROL

WITH ACETYLENE

% load

0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

%Value

35

33

33

31

30

42

40

39

36

34

Maximum power output

Knocking

2.65 Hp

2.8Hp

Normal

Slightly high

DISCUSSIONS:
The various performance criteria are discussed here in brief,
EFFICIENCY:
The efficiency of the engine increases gradually when the load decreases.
This is due to the fact that the specific fuel consumption of the engine decreases
considerably when the load is reduced. Since the calorific value of the fuel is quite higher
it produces better combustion and thus increasing the efficiency.
POWER OUTPUT:
The power of the engine is maximum when the load is in-between 25% 50%.This due to the fact that when the load increases further torque decreases which
slows down the speed of the generator.
KNOCKING:
Initially the engine runs smoothly. But when it runs for a prolonged time
with considerable load knocking is notified.

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SHORTCOMINGS:
In every invention the possibilities of short
comings is unavoidable. In this acetylene run engine too there are some shortcomings.
They are,
It knocks comparatively higher than petrol.
Storage of acetylene gas is tough under STP conditions.
It needs perfect regulation and sealing systems.
To overcome the effects of these short comings we are working further. Some of
these works are briefed here.

WORKS IN PROCESS:
As a result of continuous research we had found that when acetylene is
blended with ethanol its knocking characteristics are very much reduced. With this
positive outcome we are working further more in this area in order to scalp knocking
completely.
Also we got some optimistic results when we blend the acetylene gas with
vegetable oil. We are confident that this area will also give us more energetic result.

CONCLUSION:
The excellent properties and promising performances of the acetylene in engine,
as descripted above proves itself as an alternate for alternate fuels. What else other than
acetylene, this energy demanding world would expect?????
With this we conclude that acetylene is one of generous pearl in
the crown of Energy King.

REFERENCES:
www.afuelsllc.com
J.W.Rose and J.R.cooper, TECHNICAL DATA ON FUELS, 7th
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edition, Halsted press book.

ATERNATIVE FUELS

Kennith Work,Warner. F,Wayne. T Davis,AIR POLLUTION

ORGIN AND CONTROL, third edition, Addison Wesley.

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