Influence of Rice Husk Nanoparticles on Engine Performance and Emission Characteristics of Diesel and Neem Oil Biodiesel Blends in a Single Cylinder Diesel Engine

Abstract

ABSTRACT Nanofuel refers to the fuel that contains nanoparticles at very low concentrations. The addition of metallic nanoparticles had proven their effectiveness in improving the engine performance and reducing emissions of diesel/biodiesel blends fueled engines. However, the emission of these metallic nanoparticles themselves through exhaust gases to the atmosphere may cause adverse health hazards. The addition of organic nanoparticles on biodiesel is relatively a new concept, which has the potential of overcoming the toxic effects of metallic nanoparticles while imparting the benefits of using nanoparticles. In this research work, the effects of rice husk nanoparticles on engine performance and emission characteristics of diesel and neem oil biodiesel were investigated. Three base fuels (diesel, B10, and B20) and three nanoparticles added fuels (diesel+NP, B10+ NP, and B20+ NP) were prepared. Engine test was carried out in a 3.5 kW single-cylinder diesel engine. BTE, BSFC, and emissions of CO, HC, and NOx were determined for five different brake powers (no-load, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%). From the results, it was observed that the addition of rice husk nanoparticles increased BTE, reduced BSFC and reduced the emissions of CO, HC, and NOx, as compared to the corresponding base fuels. Therefore, the use of rice husk nanoparticles could be an efficient way of improving the engine performance and emission characteristics with diesel as well as biodiesel blends.