A Study of Performance on Compression Ignition Engine Fueled by Biodiesel-Diesel Blends with the inclusion of Al203 Nanoparticles

Abstract

In the current energy scenario, biodiesel serves as an alternative to diesel engine propulsion, addressing concerns over limited fossil fuel reserves and the impacts of global warming. Researchers focus on investigating the combustion, emission, performance, and tribological effects of various biofuel feedstocks, necessitating further exploration. Feedstock selection for biodiesel production considers availability, location, and environmental conditions, which in turn influence both the quality and quantity of the product. This study utilized Jatropha curcas as feedstock, which was mechanically extracted and then trans-esterified with alkaline catalysts. The research evaluated the impact of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles on combustion, emission, and performance on four fuel mixtures (diesel (B0), B5, B10, B20, and B40) both with and without a 100ppm dose of Al2O3 nanoparticle additive in a Gunt diesel engine test stand (Gunt C110). Finally, from the samples, B20 with 100 ppm dose nano additive was selected. The tribological behaviour and endurance of two identical Robin DY23-2D diesel engines were studied, one using baseline diesel fuel and the other using B20 with 100 ppm Al2O3 N. Emission characteristics (HC, CO, NOx, and soot opacity) were also examined. Combustion components, including cylinder pressure and heat release rate (HRR), were studied. Blends with 100-ppm Al2O3 nano additives exhibited average reductions of 10.1% (UHC), 29.4% (CO), 13.9% (NOx), and 8.4% (smoke) compared to the fuel without the additive. Cylinder pressure increased with Al2O3 nanoparticles, rising by 0.44, 1.16, 2.85, 5.06, and 5.63 bar for B0, B5, B10, B20, and B40. The net heat release rate rose by 6%, 2.8%, 12.6%, 8.4%, and 9.6% for B0, B5, B10, B20, and B40. The higher surface area-to-volume ratio of Al2O3 nanoparticles reduces ignition delay, thereby enhancing combustion. The reference diesel had a shorter combustion duration, whereas B40 exhibited an increased combustion duration, both with and without additives. Adding 100 ppm of Al2O3 additive improved combustion while reducing exhaust emissions in all blends. The brake power output results, incorporating Al2O3, demonstrated increases of 3.06%, 8.02%, 0.79%, 5.46%, and 4.55% for B0, B5, B10, B20, and B40, respectively. Al2O3 inclusion notably increased engine torque for B20 between 2500 and 2800 rpm. Across all blends, with or without Al2O3, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) was at its lowest between 2100 and 2800 rpm. Biodiesel-diesel blends with Al2O3 exhibited a BSFC reduction of 0.20%, 0.20%, 0.51%, 0.52%, 0.70%, and 0.90% for B0, B5, B10, B20, and B40, respectively. Both with and without Al2O3 nano-additives, the equivalence ratio decreased compared to the reference diesel fuel.