Response surface optimization approach to enhance the performance of diesel engine using ternary blends of biobutanol and biodiesel doped with ZnO nanoparticles

Abstract

The major challenge currently is posed by the implementation of stringent emission norms with desired engine performance in the Diesel engine. To reduce India’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, an approach that combines waste reduction strategies, recycling initiative, and responsive utilization of waste to energy solutions can play a key role in addressing the environmental issues and self reliance of energy demand. The present work is based on the optimization of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) on the variable compression ratio Diesel engine using ternary blends of Biobutanol, biodiesel, and diesel through Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The process parameters include ternary blends (Biobutanol: 0–10% v/v; biodiesel: 0–20% v/v; and diesel), ZnO: 0–100 ppm, and compression ratio: 16–20. The performance is achieved through the optimized values at a compression ratio of 18.13, nanoparticles concentration of 62.39 ppm, biodiesel content of 11.45% v/v, and Biobutanol content of 5.04 % v/v. The engine's optimized parameters comprise a 65.9 bar cylinder pressure (CP), 67.18 J/℃A of heat release rate (HRR), 31.27% brake thermal efficiency (BTE), 13.224 MJ/kW-h brake specific energy consumption (BSEC), 0.057% volume of carbon monoxide (CO), 31.05 ppm of unburnt hydrocarbons (HC), 555.8 ppm oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and 28.8 % smoke. Validation of the optimized parameters is conducted through actual engine experimental trials, with errors falling within permissible limits of less than 5%. The results suggest that ternary blends will serve as a feasible alternative for Compression Ignition (CI) engines.