A multi-criteria sustainability and engine performance study of Andropogon narudus biodiesel using the PUGH matrix and ML

PV, Elumalai and Saleel, C. Ahamed and Gulbarga, Mohammad Imtiyaz and Hussain, Fayaz and Khan, Sher Afghan and Rajendran, Parvathy and Kaewthep, Chaloemphol and Yong, Xu (2026) A multi-criteria sustainability and engine performance study of Andropogon narudus biodiesel using the PUGH matrix and ML. Scientific Reports, 16 (1). pp. 1-24. E-ISSN 2045-2322

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Abstract

The present work provides an experimental, sustainability, and ML-based analysis of Andropogon Nardus biodiesel as a potential second-generation green fuel for compression ignition engines. The biodiesel blends (AN20, AN30, and AN40) were then used on a single-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine over the 25–100% load range and at injection pressures of 190, 210, and 230 bar. Among the three AN30 blends tested, the improvement in engine performance at 230 bar indicates that AN30 provides nearly 15% higher brake thermal efficiency and reduces brake-specific fuel consumption by up to 31% compared to neat diesel. Because of good atomization and the presence of oxygen in biodiesel, significantly lower emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, smoke opacity, and nitrogen oxides were achieved under optimized engine conditions. To evaluate the broader sustainability potential of the fuel, we applied a multi-criteria PUGH matrix analysis of performance (high & low) and emissions (atmospheric & land use)/sustainability (high & low) indicators. Of all the fuels tested, AN30 at 230 bar offered the most favorable compromise between combustion modes and represents the best operating condition. The experimental patterns were also used to develop machine-learning models to predict engine responses across the entire cruising range, and the results were compared to assess the models' prediction accuracy. The study found that ensemble-based algorithms provided the best prediction accuracy among the three models evaluated. These studies demonstrate that biodiesel produced from Andropogon narudus has good potential as a sustainable biofuel for diesel engines when mixed at appropriate ratios and injected at appropriate pressures.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Andropogon narudus biofuel, Energy effiency, Machine learning, Sustainability assessment, PUGH matrix
Subjects:	T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics > TL1 Motor vehicles
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Engineering > Department of Mechanical Engineering Kulliyyah of Engineering
Depositing User:	Prof. Dr. Sher Afghan Khan
Date Deposited:	11 Jun 2026 16:44
Last Modified:	11 Jun 2026 16:44
Queue Number:	2026-05-Q3607
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/129197

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