Effects of blending energetic iron nanoparticles in B20 fuel on lower CO and UHC emissions of the diesel engine in cold start condition

Abstract

Biodiesel blended fuels as alternative fossil fuels have a higher viscosity than diesel fuel which increases emissions in cold climates and cold-start conditions. The present study investigates the effect of iron nanoparticles additive to B20 fuel on lower CO and UHC emissions of the diesel engine in low temperatures and cold start conditions. A dilute homogeneous mixture (500 ppm) was prepared from iron nanoparticles in palm oil biodiesel B20 blended fuel (nanofuel). Then a 406 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, 4-stroke, direct injection diesel engine was fueled with prepared nano fuel, and CO, UHC, and NOx pollutant emissions were investigated. The results indicated that iron nanoparticles decrease the viscosity of blend fuel by as much as 14%. Furthermore, the fuel droplets’ heat absorption during the compression process and early ignition of energetic iron nanoparticles increases the temperature and enhances the evaporation and mixing rate of fuel droplets. So, the ignition delay time and the burning time of the fuel droplets reduce, and the complete combustion condition strengthens. The reduction of fuel consumption and maximum CO and UHC emissions during the cold cold-start at T = 0 °C, were 10%, 42% and 54%, respectively. Also, in the case of nanofuel, an increase in cold start temperature from 0 °C to 10 °C decreases the maximum CO and UHC emissions up to 31% and 23.7% respectively while increasing the NOx emission from 79 to 90 ppm.