Enhancement of combustion characteristics and emissions reductions of a diesel engine using biodiesel and carbon nanotube

Abstract

The rise in fuel demand and lack of petroleum products helped to find diesel oil replacement. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the corn biodiesel and its combustion characteristics improvements by the carbon-nanotube additive. The biodiesel (methyl-ester) was produced by transesterification process, as it was mixed with crude diesel (B20) to enhance the engine performance and emissions reductions of a diesel engine. The effect of blending three different carbon nanotube (CNTs) concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 ppm with biodiesel was also studied. The experimental results showed that the B20CNT100 improved the thermal efficiency by up to 15% compared to B20, B20CNT25 and B20CNT50 fuels. Furthermore, the CO, HC and smoke emissions were significantly decreased to 10, 16 and 22% respectively at the B20CNT100 blend. The maximum peak cylinder pressure, heat release, ignition delay and cylinder combustion temperature were decreased to 1.5%, 4%, 31% and 2.5% at full load, respectively. Consequently, in light of the findings of this study, the blended biodiesel with CNTs improved the diesel engine performance, combustion characteristics and reduction in emissions and the B20CNT100 produced the best performance and environmental impact.