Experimental investigation to reduce environmental pollutants using biofuel nano-water emulsion in thermal barrier coated engine

Abstract

The number of energy consumers in the world is huge in the present fast-moving scenario, and the entire automotive industry plays a major role in energy consumption. More than 70% of India’s energy is dependent heavily on non-renewable fuel imports. Besides that, the cost and demand for the fuel are extremely high. This kind of situation has motivated various researchers to search for an alternative source of energy, which should be renewable and non-polluting. Biofuels have got consideration among other substitute fuels according to their chemical composition and biological feature. In this experimental work, Palmyra palm biofuel is used in the base engine. The Palmyra palm biofuel is mixed with 5% of water and 5% of surfactant (span 80 and tween 80). The base engine was tested with biofuel diesel emulsion with the additives of 50 ppm, 100 ppm, and 150 ppm nano-particles. To reduce heat transfer, the piston top was coated with partially stabilized zirconium (of thickness 0.5 mm) as a thermal barrier with the help of plasma spray methods. The CI engine was tested with 100% Palmyra palm (PP100), 20% Palmyra palm + 70% diesel + 5% water content + 5% of surfactant (PP20), 20% Palmyra palm + 70% diesel + 5% water + 5% of surfactant + 50 ppm Al2O3 (PPNP 50), 20% Palmyra palm + 70% diesel + 5% water + 5% of surfactant + 100 ppm Al2O3 (PPNP 100) and 20% Palmyra palm + 70% diesel + 5% water + 5% of surfactant + 150 ppm Al2O3 (PPNP 150). The engine was tested at various load conditions, and the measurements of performance and emission parameters have been noted down. For the blend 20% Palmyra palm + 70% diesel + 5% water + 5% of surfactant + 150 ppm Al2O3, BTE, in-cylinder pressure, and HRR increased by 5.12%, 4.54%, and 2.63% when compared with the diesel. When correlated to base fuel, the emission of HC, CO, NOx, and Smoke by PPNP 150 were lesser by 21.31%, 32.78%, 12.53%, and 24.44%.