Role of soluble nano-catalyst and blends for improved combustion performance and reduced greenhouse gas emissions in internal combustion engines

Abstract

Biofuels were getting an enormous attention to be used as fuel for diesel engines. This paper examines the effect of addition of nanoparticles in biofuel on diesel engines. The biofuel used for conducting tests was canola oil. Corn oil was mixed with titanium dioxide (TiO2) at different proportions as 25 ppm, 50 ppm, 75 ppm and 100 ppm. These nanoparticles mixed with biofuel and diesel. The nanoparticles were dispersed with biodiesel at the concentration of B10T25 (10% cornoil + 90% diesel + TiO225), B10T50, B10T75, B10T100, B20T25, B20T50, B20T75, and B20T100 and plain biodiesel are B10 and B20. All tests were carried at different speeds 1800 rpm, 2000 rpm, 2200 rpm, 2400 rpm, 2600 rpm and 2800 rpm. Performance and emission characteristics were estimated for all fuel blends. Results were compared to each other to characterize the fuel blend quality. The addition of titania with biofuel increased the performance qualities such as brake thermal efficiency (BTE), exhaust gas temperature (EGT), Torque and Power. Further this combination reduced the Greenhouse gas emissions such as CO, CO2, and UHC. The specific fuel consumption (SFC) was also reduced and proved to be the better alternative to existing fossil fuel. However, the emission of NOx was increased.