Authentication of Styrax officinalis L. methyl ester nanoparticulate fuel-system’s suitability in powering CI engines

Abstract

Investigation was carried out on the engine performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a CI engine using biodiesel-nanoparticulate fuel-system formulated using ultrasonicated cerium, aluminum and titanium oxide nanoparticles mixed with Styrax officinalis L. seed oil methyl esters. The nanofluids were prepared using 75, 58, and 83 ppm of aluminum, titanium, cerium dioxides. The physicochemical characteristics of the nano-fuels were determined and compared with those of conventional diesel in a Lister petter engine under various engine loads. The stabilities of the nanoparticles were analyzed under static conditions. There was marginal enhancement in the engine performance where the brake thermal efficiencies (BTEs) of the biodiesel doped with 75 ppm Al2O3 (S-C), 58 ppm TiO2 (S-D), and 83 ppm CeO2 (S-E) nanoparticles were 34.1%, 37.1% and 35.9% compared to those of the neat biodiesel and conventional diesel which were 31.2% and 31.9% respectively. Furthermore, the HC, NOx and CO emissions of the nano-fuel decreased at full load. Combustion properties of the in-cylinder pressure and the heat release rate improved upon the addition of the nanoparticles to the biodiesel. Therefore, the nano-fuels improved the engine’s performance and can satisfactorily be used as fuel in an unmodified diesel engine.