Use of Emulsified Fuels for Emission Abatement in a Diesel Engine

Abstract

Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) emissions from diesel engines pose serious environmental threats. Modifications in fuel properties, combustion and after-treatment methods are gateways to emission abatement. Emulsified fuels are promising option towards NOx control. In the present experimental exploration, a single cylinder diesel engine was tested for its performance and emission characteristics using emulsified fuel with different quantities of water in diesel. Engines fueled with Bio-diesel fuels generally emit more NOx due to inherent Oxygen in their structure. Therefore, emulsified bio-diesel fuel, developed from chicken slaughter waste, was also tested. The amount of water added was in the range of 0.5% - 2% by volume. Since NOx emissions are significant at higher loads investigations were primarily done at 75% of rated load of the engine. The results obtained demonstrated the capability of emulsified fuels in reducing NOx emissions. Up to 16% reduction in NO emissions were obtained, compared to diesel fuel, when 1% water in diesel emulsion was employed. Emulsified Bio-diesel and its blends with 1% water also showed significant reduction in NO emissions. Brake thermal efficiency in all the above cases were also better than baseline diesel engine performance.