Alumina Nano Additives Research Articles

Influence of silica and alumina nanoparticles on the wear and mechanical behavior of Indian almond fiber reinforced natural composites

Natural composites are valued for their lightweight, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits, but they often fall short in performance compared to conventional materials. To enhance their properties, nanoparticles are added. This study focused on natural composites made from Indian almond fiber, with alumina and silica nanoparticles incorporated. The scope of this research was to develop the Indian almond based materials as industry ready by enhancing its strength with nano-fillers. Four composites were created: C0 (Epoxy/Indian almond), C1 (Epoxy/Indian almond/Silica), C2 (Epoxy/Indian almond/Alumina), and C3 (Epoxy/Indian almond/Silica/Alumina), using a resin-to-fiber ratio of 70:30 and 3 wt% nanoparticles. The inclusion of nanoparticles improved composite performance, with C2 demonstrating superior mechanical and wear properties. Specifically, C2 achieved high tensile strength (84 MPa), flexural strength (122 MPa), impact strength (7.31 kJ/m2), and hardness (86 shore D), along with smallest wear and friction coefficient. HIGHLIGHTS Natural fiber based material was prepared by means of Indian almond fiber in addition to epoxy resin Silica and alumina nano-additives were added for further strengthening of composite Indian almond/Silica/Alumina composite’s functioning was investigated Indian almond/Alumina composite exhibited better tensile, flexural and impact strengths Indian almond/Alumina composite showed high hardness, slightest wear plus low friction coefficient

Analysis of a CRDI diesel engine powered by ternary fuel blends (diesel, biodiesel, and pentanol) doped with alumina nano-additives

Environmental constraints associated with fossil fuels have driven researchers to find a novel, potential and environmentally benign alternative fuel. Biodiesel, vegetable oil, and alcohol have gained rapid momentum thanks to their renewable nature and comparable energy contents in recent years. Accordingly, a Ternary fuel blend is prepared comprising three fuels namely diesel, biodiesel, and pentanol. Waste cooking oil was identified as the source for biodiesel and Pentanol was chosen among various alcohol alternatives due to improved energy density, reduced toxicity. These are endorsed to the enhancement in surface area-volume ratio of nano additives which boosts the catalytic combustion activity and also causing lesser fuel to take part in combustion for maintaining a constant engine speed. The experimentation is done with ternaryfuel blends with varying pentanol and biodiesel concentrations of diesel, biodiesel and pentanol). Upon experimentation, it was observed that, ternary fuel blend ‘TF’ comprising 70% diesel, 20% biodiesel and 10% pentanol, yielded best performance and was used for doping of Alumina oxide (Al2O3) nano additives. The Al2O3 nanoparticles were doped with ternary blends at fractions of 10 ppm, 20 ppm, and 30 ppm. It was observed that 20 ppm Al2O3 nanoparticle blended TF blend improved BTE and lowered BSFC by about 12.01% and 22.57% respectively. The performance tremendously along with lowered the CO emission by 49.21%, HC emission by 18.91% and smoke opacity by 9.02%.

Evaluating the vibrational properties of an engine powered by diesel–biodiesel mixtures containing aluminum oxide nanoparticles

Much research has been done on the performance and emissions of engines using renewable fuels. In some cases, nano additives have been added to these fuels. Although the research results are essential, these fuels should be considered from other aspects. One of these aspects is engine vibrations, which can be related to engine ignition and knocking. In this research, the vibration of an engine and its relationship with knocking and combustion using diesel and alumina nano additives with 30, 60, and 90 ppm dosages in the diesel–biodiesel blend (B5, B10) were evaluated. Experiments were carried out using precise vibration measurement equipment in a single-cylinder, four-stroke engine. The frequency domain transformation, Welch test, Kurtosis, and RMS of acceleration were used to analyze the vibrations. The advantages and disadvantages of each method were investigated on the vibrations of each fuel blend. The results showed that despite being more complicated, the Welch test better shows the difference between fuels and their vibration. By this method, it was found that diesel fuel has the lowest vibrations at frequencies below 10 kH, but it has the highest vibrations at frequencies above 10 kH. Also, with diesel and adding alumina nanoparticles to the fuels of B5, the engine performance becomes more erratic despite increasing engine power.

Experimental investigation on the effect of size modification of Alumina nano-additives on the performance and emission characteristics of a compression ignition engine

Experimental investigation on the effect of size modification of Alumina nano-additives on the performance and emission characteristics of a compression ignition engine

Simulation of vapour compression air conditioning system using Al2O3 based nanofluid refrigerant

The energy crisis, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, and Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) emis-sions are major environmental issues at present. It is critical to achieve and reduce emissions and energy consumption through the use of environmentally friendly refrigerants. Utilizing an environmentally friendly refrigerant such as HFC-32 may offer a viable solution to the ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming issues. This study examines the effects of aluminium oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles at volume concentrations of 0.06, 0.08, 0.1, 0.12, and 0.14% in pure refrigerants such as HFC-32 and R-410a used in air-conditioning systems based on the vapour compression refrigeration cycle. The thermophysical properties of pure and nanorefrigerants have been determined using REFPROP (NIST properties of fluid Refer-ence) and a theoretical formulation model using MATLAB software. The important outcomes of HFC-32 nanorefrigerant show the maximum performance with 0.14% alumina nano addi-tives which results in a 46.14% increase in the coefficient of performance (COP) and massive power savings upto 31.59%. Thermal conductivity exhibited an increase with an increment in nanoparticle concentration. Maximum thermal conductivity of 0.172 W/m-K is recorded in the case of HFC-32/Al2O3 nanorefrigerant with 0.14% volume concentration. The net re-frigeration effect of pure refrigerants (R410a and HFC-32) is 77% and 79% and on addition of nanorefrigerants to the pure the net refrigeration effect increases to 81.2% and 83.5% for R410a and HFC-32 respectively.

An experimental investigation on the effects of magnesia and alumina nano additives on the exhaust emissions and performance of CI engine using spirulina microalgae biodiesel.

The need for non-renewable fuels is steadily decreasing with their ever-increasing cost and air pollution. As a result, renewable fuel such as biofuel is used as a fuel substitute for diesel engines. The effects of magnesia and alumina nanoparticles on the exhaust pollutants and performance of a naturally aspirated, 17.5 compression ratio, 4-stroke CI engine operating on spirulina microalgae biodiesel, and its amalgams were explored. Oxides of nitrogen, thermal efficiency, carbon dioxide, fuel consumption, and hydrocarbons were among the attributes studied. Test outcomes revealed that the doping of magnesia and alumina nano additives in spirulina biodiesel resulted in increased thermal efficiency and oxides of nitrogen, succeeded by a decrease in fuel consumption and hydrocarbons, at all loads, compared to amalgams without nano additives. At maximum load, the increase in thermal efficiency and oxides of nitrogen was found to be 1.15 and 1.46% with nano magnesia-doped blends when compared to corresponding spirulina blends. On the other, hand when nano alumina is doped in spirulina amalgams, the increase in thermal efficiency and oxides of nitrogen was observed to be 0.82 and 0.97%, respectively. Similarly, fuel consumption and hydrocarbons were reduced by 1.02 and 9.52%, 1.014, and 7.66%%, respectively, for magnesia and alumina-enriched biodiesel, contrasted to that of biodiesel blends.

Revealing specific features of structure formation in composites based on nanopowders of synthesized zirconium dioxide

Peculiarities of formation of microstructure in composites based on chemically synthesized zirconium nanopowders obtained by the method of decomposition from fluoride salts were considered. Hydrofluoric acid, concentrated nitric acid, aqueous ammonia solution, metallic zirconium, and polyvinyl alcohol were used. It was established that the reduction of porosity in nanopowders in the sintering process is the main problem in the formation of high-density materials. Analysis of various initial nanopowders, their morphology, and features of sintering by the method of hot pressing with direct transmission of electric current was made. Peculiarities of obtaining the composites based on them with the addition of Al2O3 nanopowders applying the electric sintering method were considered. It was shown that the increase in the content of alumina nano additives leads to an increase in strength and crack resistance of the samples due to simultaneous inhibition of abnormal grain growth and formation of a finer structure with a high content of tetragonal phase. The influence of sintering modes on the formation of the microstructure of zirconium nanopowders has been studied for different contents of alumina additives. Electric current promotes the surface activity of nanopowders and its variable value promotes partial fragmentation of agglomerated grains thus affecting the composite structure. Physical-mechanical properties of the obtained samples, optimal compositions of mixtures, and possibilities of improving some parameters were determined. It was found that nanopowders of zirconium dioxide obtained by the method of decomposition from fluoride salts are quite suitable for the production of composite materials with high physical and mechanical properties. They can compete with imported analogs and enable obtaining of crack resistance of 7.8 MPa·m1/2 and strength of 820 MPa.

Droplet combustion and ignition analysis of carbon multiwall nanotube and alumina blended jatropha biodiesel

Biodiesel produced from Jatropha methyl ester was blended with diesel in the 20% volume ratio. Carbon Multiwall Nanotube and Alumina nano additives were added in the proportions of 25 ppm and 50 ppm in Jatropha Biodiesel with the help of a mechanical agitator and magnetic stirrer. In the present study, ignition analysis parameters like ignition delay time and activation energy are evaluated at elevated temperatures in the electric furnace at atmospheric pressure. Also, the stages of combustion are investigated for all the blends. With the addition of energetic nanoparticles, it has been seen that reduced ignition delay period, improved combustion and its catalytic effects are observed. From the droplet ignition analysis in the furnace at the atmospheric pressure, the ignition delay decreased by 6.02% at the temperature of 700 °C and activation energy increased by 0.53% for the JBD20AL50C50 blend in comparison with D-100. Also, three stages for the combustion are observed for the nanoparticles blends of fuels.

Impact of Alumina Nanoadditives on Operation and Emission Attributes of Diesel Engine

This paper collectively report work of many researchers on engine operation and emissions of diesel engine with alumina nanoadditive in diesel blends. Fuel blending is a very common and popular practice as compared to making changes in engine design or treating the exhaust gases for hazardous emissions. Alumina nanoadditive related findings are encapsulated here to review the pros and cons of various alternative fuels for better performance and reduced harmful emissions. Many recent researches are now focussed on nanoadditive over microadditives for their high specific surface area, much better combustion characteristics than micron sized additives and shorter ignition delays. Easy dispersion and suspension in liquid fuels can be obtained by Nanoparticles. This review focus on the effect of alumina nanoadditives on the fuel efficiency, brake thermal efficiency, emissions and a summary of the observation from literature is presented here.

An experimental assessment on the influence of nanoparticles in calophyllum inophyllum biodiesel operated diesel engine

ABSTRACT This research work analyses the combustion, performance, and emissions characteristics of calophyllum inophyllum methyl ester or polanga biodiesel operated single-cylinder direct injection diesel engine appended with alumina nano-additives with two concentrations of 25 ppm and 50 ppm. The test engine was run at varying loads from 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. The test engine is to be operated at a constant speed of 1500 rpm speed along with compression ratio of 17.5 and injection timing of 23° bTDC. The magnetic stirrer and ultrasonicator are used for blending of alumina nano-additives. Based on experimental investigation, it is found that with smaller fraction alumina nano-additives, the combustion is improved and emissions are lowered owing to high surface-area-to-volume-ratio of alumina particles. In addition, the blending of alumina has escalated the brake thermal efficiency substantially and reduced brake specific fuel consumption by about 6.56% and 7.37% subsequently. Thus, the improvement in combustion efficiency is observed along with a marginal reduction in NOx, CO, HC, and smoke emissions.

Experimental assessment of alumina nano additives on the performance of C.I. engine fuelled with a high-performance fuel blend

Abstract Operating a C.I. Engine with bio-diesel has seen much advancement. Doping Nano additives are one among them. In the present study, Alumina Nanoparticles are prepared and doped to the High-performance fuel blend. High performance fuel blend consists of 50% Diesel + 20% Pentanol + 20% Bio-diesel + 10% Sunflower vegetable oil. Two varieties of additive fuel blends are prepared with 50 ppm and 100 ppm alumina Nano oxides. The results are compared with and without these Nano additives. The performance characteristics stated the prepared blends show slightly lesser performance values compared with diesel, but on a contrast, all the emission values are reduced by adding these additives. The blend with 100 ppm shows better performance and emission characteristics.

Effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and alumina nano-additives in a light duty diesel engine fuelled with schleichera oleosa biodiesel blends

In the present research, the efforts have been lodged to improve the combustion and performance characteristics along with exhaust emissions of diesel-schleichera oleosa biodiesel blends by adding nanoparticles of alumina and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The nanoparticles (np’s) were synthesized and their morphologies were characterized by using Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray Diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) techniques. Test fuels containing 50 ppm and 100 ppm dosage of nanoparticles were dispersed with diesel–biodiesel blends and were labelled as D80B20A50, D80B20A100 (alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles) and D80B20C50, D80B20C100 (multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)). The droplet size of test fuels was analysed by using a laser-diffraction based Malvern Spraytec set-up. Interestingly, nano-additive dispersed test fuels showed smaller droplet size due to the higher force of collision between the nanoparticles. Moreover, the engine trial showed up to a 2–13% increase in brake thermal efficiency and upto 5–60% drop in exhaust emissions for nanoparticles dispersed test fuels. Also, alumina showed better results than MWCNT in terms of higher thermal efficiency, lower specific energy consumption and lower exhaust emissions as compared to diesel. However, due to the superior sorbent of nitrogen oxides, the (100 ppm) MWCNT has resulted in a maximum reduction of NO emissions.

Analysis of a diesel engine fueled with ternary fuel blends and alumina nano-additives at various combustion chamber geometries

The present study investigates the impact of various combustion chamber geometries in a direct injection engine fueled with diesel–biodiesel–ethanol blends mixed with alumina nano-additives, named as high-performance fuel (HPF). The HPF was subjected to various combustion bowl geometries including standard hemispherical chamber geometry (SG), shallow depth reentrant bowl geometry (CG1), toroidal reentrant chamber geometry (CG2), and toroidal chamber geometry (CG3). Performance results reveal that in comparison with the SG-HPF arrangement, brake thermal efficiency increased by 11.51% and brake-specific energy consumption decreased by 10.37% when using the CG2-HPF arrangement. For emmisions, CG2-HPF reduced carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and smoke emissions by 33.53%, 18.35%, and 14.37%, respectively, in comparison with SG-HPF. Regarding combustion, CG2-HPF resulted in a high heat release rate owing to the reentrant chamber profile of CG2 which improves the air–fuel mixture rate, atomization, and evaporation rate, resulting in more efficient combustion, increased cylinder pressure, and increased heat release rate. Thanks to the geometry of the reentrant profile, the turbulent kinetic energy of the fuel mixture is maintained and returned to the combustion zone. Thus, the stagnation of rich mixtures within the combustion zone tend to decrease. Overall, the CG2 geometry was found to be the optimum geometry profile for HPF, based on improved performance and combustion characteristics, as well as reduced exhaust emissions.

Influence of injection timing on torroidal re-entrant chamber design in a single cylinder DI engine fuelled with ternary blends

The present experimental work focuses on the influence of injection timing on torroidal re-entrant chamber design in a single cylinder diesel engine fuelled with ternary fuel (diesel-biodiesel-ethanol) blend. Ternary fuel is transformed to a high performance fuel (HPF) by addition of alumina nano additives. Experiments were conducted on HPF subjected to various injection timings of 21obTDC (Retarded injection timing), 22obTDC (Retarded injection timing), 23obTDC (standard injection timing) and 24obTDC (advanced injection timing) respectively at torroidal re-entrant combustion chamber design (TRCC) and were compared with base fuel diesel. Based on experimentation, it is observed that, BTE is lowered for 21obTDC and 24obTDC by 4.53% and 1.22% while highest BTE of about 33.8% is achieved for 22obTDC in comparison with other blends such as DIESEL-HCC23 (32.75%), HPF-TRCC21 (31.41%) and HPF-TRCC24 (32.53%). Lowest BSEC profile was achieved for HPF-TRCC22. HPF-TRCC22 resulted in lowered HC and CO emissions of about 9.18% and 16.83% in comparison with HPF-TRCC23. HPF-TRCC21 resulted in lowered NOx emissions by 22.53% along with higher HC and CO emissions by 6.13% and 20.51% in comparison with HPF-TRCC23. Cylinder pressure and HRR of HPF-TRCC22 stays at an acceptable range of 75.42 bar and 85.34 J/deg. CA in comparison with other test blends.

Combined effect of influence of nano additives, combustion chamber geometry and injection timing in a DI diesel engine fuelled with ternary (diesel-biodiesel-ethanol) blends

Abstract The present experimental work focuses on the combined effect of nano additives, combustion chamber geometry and injection timing in a single cylinder diesel engine fuelled with ternary fuel (diesel-biodiesel-ethanol) blends. Ternary fuel (TF) is doped with alumina nano additives and the resulting fuel is termed as high performance fuel (HPF). HPF is subjected to different combustion chamber geometries and TRCC (torroidal re-entrant combustion chamber) geometry is found to be effective among other geometries. HPF operated at TRCC chamber is subjected to four different injection timings namely, 21obTDC (HPF-TRCC21), 22obTDC (HPF-TRCC22), 23obTDC (HPF-TRCC23) and 24obTDC (HPF-TRCC24) respectively. BTE is lowered for HPF-TRCC21 and HPF-TRCC24 by 4.53% and 1.22% while highest BTE of about 33.8% is achieved for 22obTDC in comparison with other blends such as DIESEL-HCC23 (32.75%), HPF-TRCC21 (31.41%) and HPF-TRCC24 (32.53%). Lowest BSEC profile was achieved for HPF-TRCC22. HPF-TRCC22 resulted in lowered HC and CO emissions of about 9.18% and 16.83% in comparison with HPF-TRCC23. HPF-TRCC21 resulted in lowered NOx emissions by 22.53% along with higher HC and CO emissions by 6.13% and 20.51% in comparison with HPF-TRCC23. Cylinder pressure and HRR of HPF-TRCC22 stays at an acceptable range of 75.42 bar and 85.34 J/deg CA in comparison with other test blends. The DIESEL-RK theoretical simulation results are compared with the experimental study conducted at the same operating conditions and its revealed that TRCC combustion chamber geometry is better for enhanced performance and combustion characteristics.

Improvement of ternary fuel combustion with various injection pressure strategies in a toroidal re-entrant combustion chamber.

The present experimental work focuses on the influence injection pressure and toroidal re-entrant combustion chamber in a single cylinder diesel engine fuelled with ternary fuel (diesel-biodiesel-ethanol) blend. Ternary fuel (TF) is prepared by blending 70% diesel, 20% biodiesel, and 10% ethanol blends and its fuel properties were investigated and compared with diesel fuel. Since the physic-chemical properties of TF are well behind the diesel fuel, it is proposed to be blended with 20ppm alumina nano additives which act as an ignition enhancer and catalytic oxidizer. The resulting fuel mixture (TF + 20ppm alumina additive) is named as high performance fuel (HPF). Experimentations were conducted on HPF subjected to various injection pressures of 18MPa, 20MPa, 22MPa, and 24MPa respectively and are operated in toroidal re-entrant chamber geometry (TG) at an injection timing of 22 obTDC. From experimentation, it was identified that, for TG-HPF, higher injection pressure of 22MPa ensued highest BTE (Brake Thermal Efficiency) of 35.5% and lowest BSEC (Brake Specific Fuel Consumption) of 10.13MJ/kWh owing to the pooled effect of higher swirl formation, improved atomization enhanced evaporation rate, and better air-fuel mixing. Emission wise TG-HPF operated at 22MPa lowered the HC (hydrocarbon), CO (carbon monoxide), and smoke emissions by 18.88%, 7.19%, and 5.02%, but with marginally improved NOx (oxides of nitrogen) and CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions by 3.92% and 3.89% respectively. In combustion point of view, it is observed that injection pressure increased the cylinder pressure, heat release rate (HRR), and cumulative heat release rate (CHRR) by 5.35%, 5.08%, and 3.38% respectively indicating improved combustion rate as a result of enhanced atomization, evaporation, and high turbulence inducement. Overall, it is concluded that operating the ternary fuel at 22MPa injection pressure at toroidal re-entrant combustion chamber results in improved performance and minimized emissions.

Pentaerythritol with alumina nano additives for thermal energy storage applications

Pentaerythritol is a poly alcohol with high solid–solid phase change enthalpy that makes it suited for thermal energy storage applications. At solid–solid phase transition temperature, pentaerythritol change from body centered tetrahedral molecular structure into a homogeneous face-centered cubic crystalline structure accompanied with the absorption of the hydrogen bond energy. The present work investigates the effect of adding alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles to pentaerythritol on thermal and chemical stability by performing thermal cycling test. Dispersion stability and aggregation of nanoparticles during thermal cycling were studied with FESEM and EDX analysis. The thermal and chemical stability of pentaerythritol samples added with alumina nanoparticles in the weight proportions 0.1%, 0.5% and 1% were tested using the characterization methods such as TGA, DSC and FTIR. The change in the specific heat and thermal conductivity of pentaerythritol was studied by the T-history method. The experimental results showed good thermal and chemical stability for alumina enhanced pentaerythritol subjected to 100 thermal cycles along with a negligible change in specific heat and thermal conductivity values. Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of the PE added with alumina nanoparticles were also studied in this experimental work.

Stability, rheology and thermal analysis of functionalized alumina- thermal oil-based nanofluids for advanced cooling systems

Thermal oils are widely used as cooling media in heat transfer processes. However, their potential has not been utilised exquisitely in many applications due to low thermal properties. Thermal oil-based nanofluids are prepared by dispersing functionalized alumina with varying concentrations of 0.5–3wt.% to enhance thermal properties of oil for advanced cooling systems. The oleic acid coated alumina is prepared and then dispersed in the oil to overcome the aggregation of nanoparticles in base fluid. The surface characterizations of functionalized nanoparticles are performed using different analysis such as XRD, EDS, SEM, TEM and FTIR. Dispersion behaviour and agglomeration studies are conducted at natural and functionalized conditions using different analysis to ensure long-term stability of nanofluids. In addition, rheological behaviour of non-Newtonian nanofluids is studied at high shear rates (100–2000s−1). Effective densities and enhancement in thermal conductivities are measured for different nanofluids concentrations. Specific heat capacity is measured using Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The correlations are developed for thermophysical properties of nanofluids. Thermogravimetric analysis is performed with respect to temperature and time to exploit the effect of the addition of nanoparticles on the degradation of nanofluids. Significant improvement in the thermal properties of oil is observed using highly stable functionalized alumina nano-additives.

Influence of alumina nanoparticles, ethanol and isopropanol blend as additive with diesel–soybean biodiesel blend fuel: Combustion, engine performance and emissions

Experimental investigation was carried out to study the combustion, engine performance and emission characteristics of a single cylinder, naturally aspirated, air cooled, constant speed compression ignition engine, fuelled with two modified fuel blends, B20 (Diesel–soybean biodiesel) and diesel–soybean biodiesel–ethanol blends, with alumina as a nanoadditive (D80SBD15E4S1 + alumina), and the results are compared with those of neat diesel. The nanoadditive was mixed in the fuel blend along with a suitable surfactant by means of an ultrasonicator, to achieve stable suspension. The properties of B20, D80SBD15E4S1 + alumina fuel blend are changed due to the mixing of soybean biodiesel and the incorporation of the alumina nanoadditives. Some of the measured properties are compared with those of neat diesel, and presented. The cylinder pressure during the combustion and the heat release rate, are higher in the D80SBD15E4S1 + alumina fuel blend, compared to neat diesel. Further, the exhaust gas temperature is reduced in the case of the D80SBD15E4S1 + alumina fuel blend, which shows that higher temperature difference prevailing during the expansion stroke could be the major reason for the higher brake thermal efficiency in the case of D80SBD15E4S1 + alumina fuel blend. The presence of oxygen in the soybean biodiesel, and the better mixing capabilities of the nanoparticles, reduce the CO and UBHC appreciably, though there is a small increase in NOx at full load condition.