Synthesis and characterization of calcium oxide nano particles obtained from biowaste and its combustion characteristics in a biodiesel operated compression ignition engine

Abstract

The goal of this research is to use calcination to make calcium oxide (CaO) nano additives that can be used as fuel additives. Spectrum investigations using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) established the synthesis of nano particles. The fuel is a waste cooking oil bio diesel of B20 blend (20% biodiesel and 80% diesel) mixed with nano Calcium oxide additives in five concentrations: 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 ppm. The qualities of the fuel are examined in line with the criteria of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The combustion investigation of these fuel samples in a four-stroke compression ignition engine coupled to an eddy current dynamo-meter found a 3% improvement in average brake power. All of the fuel samples examined have a combustion efficiency of 90–98%. The CaO nano additions improved the heat release rate (HRR) of the engine. The average cylinder pressures (CP) of the additive blended samples are also higher. Peak pressures of the biodiesel samples investigated in the experiment ranged from 1° to 15° crank angle after top dead centre (aTDC) under all conditions. The mean pressure rise rate (MPRR) for WCOB20 + CaO25ppm is 4.7 bar/degree CA. According to this study, the synthesised micro CaO particles appear to be a viable candidate for usage as additives to improve the combustion characteristics of engines powered by bio-diesel blends. However a complete study on performance, emission along with combustion characteristics is required to evaluate the prominence of this fuel with prepared nano additives. In future, calcium oxide nano catalysts for the production biodiesel may also be an viable alternate.