On the impact of using nanoparticles type additives on the altering of diesel fuel jet characteristics

Abstract

Even though diesel-powered passenger cars and light-duty vehicles may not be sold in the European Union by 2035, possibly in most other countries will be. Truck diesel engines will remain in use after 2035 because electric trucks are not a viable alternative for goods transportation. This involves continuing research and development on diesel engines to reduce their pollutant emissions. Alternative (renewable) fuels with combustion improvers can diminish emissions at the source. Nanoparticle-based additives can enhance the efficiency and emissions of diesel engines through their intense catalytic activity and by improving the fuel injection process. However, their effect on the injection process has not been well tested and published in the dedicated literature. The use of nanoparticles mixed in small fractions with original diesel fuel influences the physicochemical properties of the fuel as well as the formation of fuel jets inside the combustion chamber. This research focuses on the opportunity of using different diesel fuel blends mixed with combustion improver additives such as MWCNT and CeO2 nanoparticles. In this sense, a simulation investigation was conducted using the AVL BOOST Hydsim software. The physicochemical properties of fuels were used to assess the macroscopic characteristics of the fuel spray, such as penetration, spray cone angle, and Sauter mean diameter. When increasing the nanoparticle dosage, the penetration and spray cone angle values are decreasing, while the Sauter mean diameter values are increasing. This tendency is present for both nanoparticle types considered.