Optimisation of fuel modification parameters for efficient and greener energy from diesel engine powered by water-emulsified biodiesel with cetane improver

Abstract

Second-generation biodiesels from lignocellulosic biomass, inedible crops, and forest leftovers are cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Researchers are interested in Mahua oil, generated from Mahua seeds, due to the plant's high growth rate, large population, and potential to replace hydrocarbon fuels. However, optimisation of water emulsion and cetane improver have not been studied as approaches to enhance the energy and environmental performance of Mahua biodiesel (MB). This experiment extracts biodiesel from Mahua seeds, characterises the fuel, and optimises MB, water, and cetane improver levels for efficient and greener production. MB was transesterified from seeds and analysed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimise diesel fuel with a varied volume concentration of MB, water, and diethyl ether (DEE). FTIR shows that the generated MB has a significant amount of carbon-based components such as esters, alkanes, and unsaturated functional groups, and the fuel quality meets ASTM criteria. The coefficient of determination values are closer to one, and the optimum conditions of MB, water, and DEE are 15.23%, 15%, and 15%, respectively. A validation experiment showed that the engine operates better and emits less at optimal conditions, and the proposed blend cuts fossil fuel use by 45%.