Green synthesized nano-additive dosed biodiesel-diesel-water emulsion blends for CI engine application: Performance, combustion, emission, and exergy analysis

Abstract

Numerous research studies have demonstrated that biodiesel is an ideal substitute for standard diesel fuel. However, biodiesel produced more nitric oxide emissions. The novel green synthesized cerium oxide (CeO2) nano-additive is used and produced from cerium nitrate hexahydrate using Azadirachta indica leaf extract to reduce NO. Subsequently, the presence of CeO2 is analyzed through different morphological studies. The CeO2 nano-additive is mixed with the 20% Trichosanthes cucumerina oil biodiesel emulsion in different proportions of 10, 20, and 30 ppm are used for this experimental study. From the experimental outcomes, TCB20 Emulsion+30 ppm CeO2 blend shows a significant reduction in hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, smoke opacity, and NO emissions by 16.78, 38.30, 20.73 and 6.06%, respectively, when compared with standard diesel. Also, it was found that the TCB20 Emulsion+30 ppm CeO2 blend showed better engine performance with enhanced combustion characteristics. As a result, the comparison of TCB20 Emulsion and TCB20 Emulsion+30 ppm CeO2 blends shows a substantial difference in the decrease of NO by 4.92% and smoke opacity by 11.82%, respectively. It shows improved engine combustion characteristics with an excellent smoke-NO emission trade-off. According to the exergy analysis, the TCB20 Emulsion+30 ppm CeO2 blend had a higher energy share (53.73%) and lower exergy destroyed (46.27%) than other TCB blends. Hence, the TCB20 Emulsion+30 ppm CeO2 blend can be used as an alternative for standard diesel fuel without any engine modifications.