Chlorella protothecoides Algae Oil and Its Mixes with Lower and Higher Alcohols and Al2O3 Metal Nanoadditives for Reduction of Pollution in a CI Engine

Abstract

Numerous Algae oils with low and medium viscosity were investigated as fuel for CI engines. However, high viscous algae oil has not been explored in detail as a replacement for diesel in CI engines due to operational problems and poor performance characteristics. Esterification of neat algae oil to obtain its biodiesel is a complex process. The biodiesel obtained also has viscosity nearly five times more than diesel viscosity. Hence, research efforts on CI engines using algae oil methyl ester are lacking, particularly in combustion characteristics. This work focuses on utilizing algae oil as a fuel in CI engines. Algae oil has more affinity for alcohols due to a higher percentage of ricinoleic acid which aids in forming a homogeneous mixture. Alcohols with better fuel properties improve the combustion capability of algae oils with low and medium viscosity. However, not much research has been carried out in alcohols with very high viscous algae oil. Hence, in this work, higher and lower-order alcohols were blended with algae oil in their neat form and their biodiesel with Al2O3 nanoadditives for performance improvement.