B20 Blend Research Articles

Biofuel blends and nano-additives: a sustainable approach to diesel engine performance and emissions improvement

Abstract The utilization of compression ignition (CI) diesel engines has seen a substantial increase in recent years owing to their numerous advantages. However, the widespread adoption of these engines has also significantly contributed to environmental pollution issues, with diesel engines being recognized as major global contributors to exhaust emissions-related pollution. To address this issue, comprehensive research has been carried out on both emissions from diesel exhaust pollutants and advanced after-treatment technologies for emission control. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency and emissions of diesel fuel mixed with various ratios of biofuel derived from Karanja seeds (B10, B15, and B20). Among the different blends examined, B20 demonstrated superior performance in terms of brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), along with lower levels of hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared to pure diesel. Further, the impact of nanoadditives, specifically titanium dioxide (TiO2), at different concentrations (80 ppm, 100 ppm, and 120 ppm), on B20 blends was evaluated. The findings indicated that B20 blended with 100 ppm of TiO2 exhibited superior performance in terms of BTE, BSFC, and lower emissions of HC, CO2, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon monoxide (CO). From the results, the BTE increases from 1% to 33%, illustrating enhanced thermal efficiency under similar conditions. The average BSFC across all loads and speeds in the table is approximately 0.89 kg/kWh, while the average BTE stands at approximately 23.1%.

Impact of Nano-TiO2 Combination with Biodiesel on Diesel Engine Performance and Emissions Under Fuel Magnetism Conditioning

AbstractProblems of atomization, spray, and lower output power are due to the biodiesel’s higher viscosity. All of these aim to encourage fuel magnetism and nanoparticles addition to reduce fuel consumption. Waste cooking oil was converted to methyl ester by transesterification. To make methyl ester blend, diesel and biodiesel were mixed at volume ratio of 20%. TiO2 nanoparticles were added to biodiesel blend B20 at doses of 25 and 50 mg/L. TEM and XRD were used to characterize the nanomaterials. A magnetic coil was placed before the fuel injector to apply a magnetic field on the line of fuel. South pole of the magnetic field is located near to the fuel line, whereas the north pole is located further away. To examine the impact of these nanomaterials with fuel magnetism on engine performance and emissions using WCO biodiesel mixture, an experimental test rig was built connected to diesel engine. During testing, diesel engine operates at 1500 rpm with load variation. The average increases in BTE were 1, 1.5, 3.5, 5.5, and 6.5% but the decreases in BSFC were 1.2, 2, 4, 5, and 6% for B20 + magnet, B20 + 25 TiO2, B20 + 25 TiO2 + magnet, B20 + 50 TiO2, and B20 + 50 TiO2 + magnet, respectively, at engine load range. The average drops in CO, NOx, and HC concentrations were 16, 22, and 33%, respectively, at load range for B20 + 50 TiO2 + magnet. To improve engine performance and reduce emissions, biodiesel blend B20 from waste cooking oil with nanoTiO2 concentration of 50 ppm under magnetic field effect was recommended as a substitute fuel in diesel engine.

Effect of isobutanol/gasoline blends on the performance and emissions of an Otto engine-powered vehicle operating on a driving cycle

Abstract This study experimentally investigates the performance and emissions of a typical vehicle in the Latin American automobile sector–specifically; a 1.6 L spark ignition engine with port fuel injection (PFI) was used. The tests were performed using a Mustang MD150 chassis dynamometer under transient running conditions following the worldwide harmonised light test cycle (WLTC). Commercial gasoline (containing 10 vol. % ethanol; E10) was blended with 10, 20, and 30 vol. % of isobutanol. Results reveal that despite the reduction in the fuel lower heating value (LHV), adding the isobutanol B20 blend can improve the fuel economy by up to 6%. Similarly, when the alcohol content in the blend increased, the CO and HC emissions decreased by 10.5 and 10.2%, respectively. Furthermore, the B30 blend resulted in the lowest emissions but had the highest fuel consumption. Notably, these results were achieved without any adjustments to engine key components. Thus, the effects of isobutanol were consistent with the increase in octane and oxygenation of fuel blends.

An Experimental Study on Algae Biodiesel with Nano-additives for Engine Performance and Emission Reduction

Introducing nano-additives like aluminum oxide and cerium oxide into the B20 blend biodiesel exhibited encouraging outcomes of combustion efficiency and emission reduction. These additives likely catalyzed combustion, leading to more complete fuel burn and lower emissions. Additionally, the presence of nano-additives might have facilitated better fuel atomization and distribution within the combustion chamber, resulting in enhanced engine performance. The results indicate that adding nano-additives to biodiesel blends has significant potential for reducing environmental impact and enhancing engine longevity and efficiency. Moreover, the utilization of nano-additives represents a promising avenue for addressing the dual challenges of energy sustainability and environmental preservation. By harnessing the synergistic effects of nano-scale materials, such as aluminum oxide and cerium oxide, in biodiesel formulations, engineers and researchers can strive towards developing cleaner and more efficient propulsion systems. This holistic approach underscores the importance of cooperation across disciplines between materials science, engineering, and environmental studies to advance the frontiers of sustainable energy technologies. The study attempted to improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions by introducing nano-additives like aluminum oxide and cerium oxide into B20 biodiesel. The outcome showed enhanced engine performance, more complete fuel burn, and significant potential for reducing environmental impact.

Evaluation of Cobalt, Nickel, and Palladium Complexes as Catalysts for the Hydrogenation and Improvement of Oxidative Stability of Biodiesel

Developing effective catalysts that can selectively hydrogenate C=C bonds in biodiesel samples is vital as it tackles the major problem of oxidative stability, which greatly limits the utilization of biodiesel as an alternative fuel. In this work, Co, Ni, and Pd catalysts stabilized with the bidentate nitrogen ligands N-(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)pyridin-2-ylmethylimine and N-(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)picolinamide were synthesized, characterized, and used as pre-catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of C=C bonds in fatty acid methyl esters. The active catalysts from the Co, Ni, and Pd complexes sequentially hydrogenate the C18:2 chains to C18:1, which is further converted to C18:0 in the FAMEs of both methyl linoleate and jatropha biodiesel. The hydrogenation process was kinetically controlled, and after 3 h it yielded a biodiesel sample that contained 25.83% C16:0, 12.52% C18:2, 41.54% C18:1, 14.47% C18:0 and 3.0% C18:2 isomers. The un-hydrogenated jatropha diesel, hydrogenated jatropha diesel, and a B20 blend of jatropha were tested for susceptibility to oxidation reactions using the Rancimat method and FTIR spectroscopy, and the partial hydrogenation had improved the induction period by 3 h.

Experimental and numerical analysis of particulate matter deposition in DPF for different blends of Algae Bio diesel

The stringent emission norms have compelled to use Diesel particulate filter (DPF) to reduce particulates emission in automotive Diesel engine. The back pressure developed in the DPF due to the Particulates matter (PM) deposition in porous zone degrades the diesel engine’s performance. So, there is a need of a fuel which should produce less particulates on combustion as well as its produced particulates should be easy to get regenerated inside the DPF. Three different Algae biodiesel blends B20, B40 and B60 were selected for the study, while the results are compared with the diesel fuel. A numerical study has been done with diesel and Algae biodiesel blends to investigate the effect of PM deposition on the DPF performance. The results of PM concentration and the pressure drop has been predicted for t = 2000s. and compared with the results predicted for diesel fuel. The summarized velocity contours and the PM concentration plots show that a maximum of the PM concentration was found in the diesel fuel case, while the lower found in B60 algae blend. Also, the pressure drop was found to increase with the increase in PM deposition in each case of fuel. The SEM-EDS analysis is done after collecting PM samples after combustion shows a higher percentage of Oxygen and lower Carbon with an increment of Biodiesel in the blend. This work provides a brief idea about the PM deposition in DPF while using Diesel and Algae Biodiesel blends and highlighting the better fuel option for Diesel Engine.

Sustainable biodiesel production from Cassia javanica oil with eggshell-derived catalyst: optimization, engine performance, and emission study

ABSTRACT As global energy demand rises, it is crucial to explore sustainable alternatives. Biodiesel emerges as a safe, reusable, and eco-friendly energy source. It offers a greener option to petro-diesel while maintaining reliable performance. This study focuses on producing biodiesel from novel non edible feedstock Cassia javanica seeds. It uses a calcium oxide (CaO) catalyst derived from eggshells. CaO, a highly active base catalyst, was confirmed through various analyses. Using Cassia javanica seed oil as a source of non-edible methyl ester, this study optimizes transesterification parameters. A yield of 90.14% was achieved by transesterifying Cassia javanica oil at 60°C with 2% catalyst and 15:1 methanol to oil ratio. Based on the results, Cassia javanica methyl esters were found to conform to ASTM D6751 and EN 14,214 standard specifications, with kinematic viscosity of 3.556 mm2/s and acid value of 0.41 mg KOH/g, cloud point of −4°C, pour point of −2°C, flash point of 148°C and cetane index of 59 min. The biodiesel properties were also estimated. Tests revealed that blends had lower emissions and improved engine performance compared to pure fuel. Higher blends showed better engine performance. The B20 blend was found to be the most effective. It enhances engine performance and reduces emissions. C. javanica could be a viable source of biodiesel production and engine operation. As a result of sensitivity analyses, NPV varied with feedstock costs and biodiesel selling prices. In India, interventions are needed to make B20 policy based on second-generation technology profitable. The policy with feedstocks from the second generation of technology is technically viable, but interventions are needed to make it economically viable.

Exploring alternative fuel solutions: lemon grass oil biodiesel blend with dibutyl ether additive for VCR diesel engines - an experimental analysis

There has been an intense surge in interest in the search for alternative sources of petroleum fuels in the modern world as a result of the inflation of fuel prices and the historic supply gap. When compared to petroleum fuels, biodiesel is becoming an increasingly valuable option due to the fact that it produces less emissions and provides the almost same amount of energy. In point of fact, the prime aim of this work is to explore the possibility of utilizing biodiesel derived from lemongrass oil and including dibutyl ether as an additive for the test diesel engine operating on varied compression ratios. The findings showed that the best operating settings are a 17.5 compression ratio with a blend of 30% biodiesel and 70% diesel fuel. At greater loads, brake thermal efficiency is lower than that of diesel engines. Lower loads result in lower specific fuel usage. Mechanical efficiency at higher loads is highest in the B30 blend, but emission metrics such as CO, CO2, HC, and NOx were reduced with the inclusion of an additive, though HC rose with higher loads of lemongrass oil biodiesel blends. When compared to the B30 biodiesel blend with various composition additives, the B30 + 4% additive has the highest efficiency at the fourth load in terms of both brake power and mechanical efficiency.

Optimal supply chain design of biodiesel production using black soldier fly larvae oil as feedstock

ABSTRACT Biodiesel is one of the most produced biofuels worldwide; however, all existing plants base their production on vegetable or animal oils. These raw materials, whose availability is limited due to their origin, might harm food safety. In this way, alternatives such as oils from insects have been attractive. Specifically, black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) can consume various organic residues and bio-transform them into lipids, representing around 40% of the total weight of BSFL. Hence, this work addresses the optimal supply chain (SC) design for biodiesel production, using BSFL’s oil as feedstock to substitute conventional diesel with a B20 blend. This was achieved by developing and optimizing a mathematical model. Results indicate that it is possible to satisfy 15.09% of the Mexican diesel demand with a B20 blend. Additionally, CO2 emissions have decreased by 58% compared to the current situation, in which only conventional diesel is used. Moreover 38,967,708 tons of organic residues are valorized, leading to the implantation of a sustainable biodiesel industry.

Controlling grafting density of compatibilizer to enhance performance of thermoplastic Starch/Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blends

The wide utilization of thermoplastic starch (TPS) as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics is hindered by its high hydrophilicity, which limits compatibility with biodegradable polymers that are hydrophobic, such as poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). Addressing this challenge, we introduce an innovative two-step blending process that effectively controls grafting density of a compatibilizer within a TPS/PBAT blend to enhance their interfacial compatibility without compromising the low-cost advantage of TPS. We synthesized a reactive compatibilizer, poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (EG), which was systemically located within the TPS phase. By controlling the grafting density of PBAT onto EG by adjusting the melt-blending duration (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 min), we successfully modified the affinity of the compatibilizer for the blend components and controlled its migration toward the PBAT phase. Adjustment of the duration of the pre-grafting of PBAT onto EG significantly influenced the distribution of the TPS domains throughout the blend. The blend that incorporated the compatibilizer pre-grafted for 20 min (blend B20) had the smallest domain size and maximum tensile strength. Additionally, this particular blend exhibited the highest complex viscosity and storage modulus among the compatibilized blends, along with significantly improved water barrier properties, thereby indicating effective compatibilizer anchoring between TPS and PBAT. Our findings underscore the potential of this two-step blending approach to design the optimal compatibilizer for the TPS blends, paving the way for their broader application in sustainable material development.

Effect of antioxidants on CI engine characteristics of safflower biodiesel with varying fuel injection pressures

A product of microorganisms, crop plants, and animal-based oil, biodiesel holds excellent promise as a sustainable energy resource and a solution to the world's rising energy issues. Biofuel resembles the qualities of fossil diesel, while it is also proven to be a greener fuel and viable alternative. To enhance the properties of biodiesel, the additives, mainly antioxidants, were added to the 20 % blend of safflower biodiesel (B20) at various injection pressures (190, 200, and 210 bar). At a concentration of 1000 ppm, the antioxidants, namely BHA (butylated hydroxy anisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), were added to the B20 blend of higher IP. Investigation on the effects of antioxidants with biodiesel on the performance and emission characteristics were tested in CI diesel engines at different injection pressures (IP). The findings from this study indicate that antioxidants added to biodiesel significantly improved the engine's performance. Higher IP resulted in higher BTE (1.6 %) with lesser emissions of CO (33.33 %), HC (10 %) and smoke (19.5 %) than diesel. But it emits higher NOx emissions (2.5 %). The addition of the antioxidant BHA showed a decrease in NOx emissions by 5 % to higher IP. Thus, the safflower biodiesel B20 added with antioxidant BHA will likely be a tremendous alternate fuel for the CI engine.

Impact of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on hybrid biodiesel blends for cleaner combustion in CI engines

This study investigates the influence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and hybrid biodiesel blends on the performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of a compression ignition engine. The hybrid biodiesel comprises waste frying oil methyl ester (WFOME), sesame oil methyl ester (SOME), and ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) blended at 20 %:80 % by volume (B20). MWCNTs were added into B20 at 25 ppm and 50 ppm concentrations (B20-25MWCNT and B20-50MWCNT). Experimental analysis was conducted under varying engine loads and injection pressures, complemented by CFD simulations. Results demonstrate that the addition of MWCNTs significantly enhances B20 blend performance, with B20-50MWCNT exhibiting a 25 % increase in brake thermal efficiency and a 17 % reduction in brake specific fuel consumption compared to neat B20. Additionally, the incorporation of MWCNTs resulted in notable reductions in harmful emissions. NOx emissions for the B20 + 50MWCNT blend were reduced by up to 36 % compared to diesel and 43 % compared to B20. Smoke opacity and particulate emissions also showed significant decreases, highlighting the cleaner combustion facilitated by the presence of MWCNTs. The CFD simulations provided detailed insights into the combustion process, validating the experimental findings and elucidating the mechanisms behind the observed improvements. The enhanced fuel atomization, better fuel-air mixing, and catalytic properties of MWCNTs were identified as key factors contributing to the superior performance and reduced emissions.

A comparative study of diesel engine fueled by Jatropha and Castor biodiesel: Performance, emissions, and sustainability assessment

The increasing scarcity of fossil fuels and environmental concerns have driven the search for sustainable alternatives, such as biodiesel. This study aims to evaluate the performance, emissions, and sustainability of biodiesel derived from Jatropha and Castor seeds when used in diesel engines. Biodiesel production was achieved through the transesterification process, addressing atomization challenges, and enhancing combustion efficiency. The research compared various blends of biodiesel and conventional diesel fuel (B20, B40, and B60) across different engine loads, from no load to full load. Key findings revealed that biodiesel blends exhibited comparable properties to conventional diesel. Jatropha biodiesel showed superior performance and lower emissions compared to Castor biodiesel. The B20 blend consistently demonstrated the best performance and reduced emissions across all engine loads. Specifically, biodiesel resulted in lower brake thermal efficiency (BTE), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbon (HC), and smoke emissions compared to conventional diesel, but higher exhaust gas temperature (EGT), brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The increase in NOx emissions was linked to higher EGT, while other emissions were influenced by the biodiesel’s viscosity and cetane number. The study concluded that the B20 blend of Jatropha and Castor biodiesel offers a viable alternative to conventional diesel, reducing CO2 and CO emissions by 22–10 % and increasing NOx emissions by 8 %. These results suggest significant potential for biodiesel to contribute to sustainable transportation, highlighting the importance of optimizing biodiesel blends for improved engine performance and lower environmental impact. These findings highlight the promising potential of Jatropha and Castor biodiesel as substitutes for diesel fuel, indicating advancements in fuel technology.

The influence of injection pressure and exhaust gas recirculation on a VCR engine fueled by microalgae biodiesel

AbstractBiodiesel has been chosen as a decent alternative to diesel in the context of establishing environmentally pleasant conditions and saving petroleum‐based resources for future generations. It is well‐established that biodiesel‐powered diesel engines may achieve outcomes equivalent to those of diesel engines. The current investigation was conducted to study the effect of injection pressure (190, 210, and 230 bar) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) (5%, 10%, and 15%) on a single‐cylinder variable compression ratio (VCR) diesel engine running using a B20 (20% MB + 80% PD) blend of microalgae biodiesel (MABD). This experiment was conducted in two stages. During the first stage of experimentation, the efficiency and emission characteristics of a diesel engine with a B20 blend of MABD at various fuel injection pressures and fresh air were investigated. During the second phase, fresh air was mixed with 5%, 10%, and 15% exhaust gases, and the experiment was conducted. It was discovered that increasing injection pressure to 230 bar provided considerable improvements. Brake thermal efficiency increased by 2.35%, brake‐specific fuel consumption decreased by 3.57% and pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon, and smoke were reduced by more than 50% compared to conventional diesel. These reductions were similarly significant (over 22%) as compared to the B20 blend at lower injection pressure (210 bar). However, there was a slight trade‐off: nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions increased partially (3.14%), while exhaust gas temperature (EGT) increased by 1.72% at a higher pressure. The study then investigated the influence of EGR (5%, 10%, and 15%) at various injection pressures. The optimal value seems to be 10% EGR at 230 bar injection pressure. This combination substantially reduced NOx emissions (by over 41% compared to the normal B20 blend) and EGT (by more than 8%), while having no notable effect on other performance or emission variables. Overall, the results show that employing a B20 MABD blend with high injection pressure (230 bar) and moderate EGR (10%) improves engine performance while reducing hazardous emissions.

Greenhouse gas reduction in a medium-duty compression ignition engine with optimization for B20

Soy-based biodiesel can reduce well-to-wheels greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per unit energy (i.e., gCO2e/MJ) by 66%–72% as compared to the petroleum-based diesel fuel with currently adopted agricultural and industrial practices. Biodiesel can reduce particulate matter and carbon monoxide emissions with a manageable degree of increase in NOx emissions. From the perspective of GHG emissions reduction per unit travelling distance (i.e., gCO2e/mile), the application of B20 in compression ignition engines without the adjustment in engine control unit (ECU) settings will not extract the best carbon emissions reduction that B20 could achieve. Optimizing the engine control settings permits re-calibration to achieve the maximum brake fuel conversion efficiency (BFE) based on comprehensive understanding on the impact of both “fuel” and “ECU calibration” on BFE and other criteria pollutant emissions. The maximum GHG emissions reduction with B20 application is experimentally measured with the optimized ECU calibration, thus providing the understanding of the combined impact of biodiesel fuel and calibrations on engine performance and emissions. Six steady operating modes were considered, that can be combined to estimate the US federal test procedure BFE and emissions over the Federal Test Protocol (FTP) 75 cycle. Combined with the weight factors to simulate the EPA FTP 75 cycle from these 6 “mini-map” test points, 0.53% improvement in the energy requirement per unit traveling distance (i.e., MJ/mile) is achieved for B20 with the final ECU calibration, in addition to the degree of GHG emissions reduction on a “gCO2e/MJ” basis from the use of B20 blend of soy biodiesel of ∼12.5% reduction in gCO2e/MJ, for a total GHG emissions reduction of 13%.

Impact of essential oils from agro waste as antioxidants on biodiesel long-term storage stability for CI engines: Fresh and aged evaluations

This research aims to ameliorate the oxidation and storage stability of Prosopis juliflora Methyl Ester (PJME) using the Rancimat method (EN14112). Agricultural waste-derived essential oils (AWEOs), such as Citrus Aurantifolia L. (CA), Curcuma longa L. (CL), and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn (EC), were used as natural antioxidants alongside the commonly used synthetic antioxidant TBHQ. The concentrations of antioxidants ranged from 0% to 4% (v/v % of biodiesel). Results indicated that adding 4% CA to raw PJME extended the induction period (IP) from 2.64 h to 11.2 h at the end of 60 days, meeting EN14214 standards and exhibiting the highest antioxidant activity. TBHQ is less effective at lower concentrations; however, it is comparable to CL at higher concentrations. At 4% TBHQ with PJME, the IP was 9.9, 8.8, and 8.1 hours at the end of 15, 30, and 45 days of storage, respectively. Furthermore, this study uniquely compared the performance and emissions of a CI engine fuelled with a fresh B30 blend, B30 blends stored for 60 days (aged) without and with the addition of an optimal 4% CA antioxidant. The results showed that adding 4% CA to the B30 blend extended its IPs to 34.5 hours, meeting EN590 standards for FAME blends. Compared to B30–60d, the B30+4CA-60d blend exhibited a 9.4% increase in BTE and a 6.5% decrease in BSFC at a BMEP of 4.15 bar. It has an emission reduction potential of 47.8% for CO, 8% for HC, along with a marginal decrease in NOX emissions. Compared to D100, it significantly reduced CO emissions by 37.5%, HC emissions by 8%, and NOX emissions by 16.3%. These findings indicate that natural antioxidants effectively inhibit free radical formation and maintain biodiesel quality over extended storage on par with synthetic antioxidants. This finding is significant as it maintains engine performance and addresses global energy and environmental concerns.

Numerical and experimental investigation of performance and emission characteristics of hydrogen enrichment with prosopis juliflora biodiesel in CI engine using RSM and ANN optimization

IC engines need renewable fuel due to environmental degradation and fossil fuel depletion. Biodiesel was a popular alternative fuel. However, hydrogen has zero emissions and a higher auto ignition temperature. This study examines diesel engine operation with hydrogen-enriched juliflora biodiesel/diesel blend (B20). The 4-Stroke, direct injection diesel engine (KIRLOSKAR-AV1) produces 5.2 kW at 1500rpm. A B20 compound was injected into the combustion cylinder via the intake manifold during testing. Hydrogen was supplied through the intake manifold. Diesel (D0), B20, and B20 with hydrogen are tested on 6 lpm, 9 lpm, and 12 lpm respectively. Increase in hydrogen concentration with B20 blend will increased brake thermal efficiency. The mixture B20 at a flow rate of 12 L per minute increased the BTE by 27.51%, which is a 4.88% improvement compared to the original B20. Similarly, this concentration exhibit an 18.75% reduced Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) compared to the B20 combination. CO and HC emissions decreases and increased in NOx emissions while increasing H2 flow. Further, to develop the RSM and ANN predicted model for optimization of CI engine characteristics responses. The RSM model analyzed the lower mean square error (MSE) and actual relative error (ARE) for the engine responses compared to the ANN model.

Waste Cooking Oil Biodiesel and Their Nanobiodiesel Blends Infused with Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) Nanoparticles for Diesel Engine Applications

This work focusses on the potential application of waste cooking oil (WCO) as alternative to diesel as it is abundantly, locally available. The oil is subsequently converted into its biodiesel called waste cooking biodiesel (WCOBD). GCMS studies of the waste cooking oil and its biodiesel is carried out to determine the fatty acid composition. Further WCOBD is blended with diesel to produce its WCOBD B20 blend. The physio-chemical properties of the WCO, WCOBD, WCOBD B20 and their nano-biodiesel blends were determined and were compared with diesel. These properties of WCOBD B20 are in good agreement with diesel. This B20 blend can successfully provide 20% substitute to fossil diesel and save foreign exchange besides providing energy security to India. The fuel properties of the WCOBD B20 blends are further modified by adding carbon derived nanoparticles of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) to prepare nano-biodiesel blends. The percentage of RGO nanoparticles were varied from 20% to 100 % by volume insteps of 20% using suitable SDS surfactants. The stability of these nano-biodiesel blends is determined by using zeta potential method. The stability of decreased with increase in the nano-particle dosage in base biodiesel blends. Accordingly, the blends with dosage beyond 80% showed lower stability in terms of lower zeta potential values. The nano-biodiesel blends showed improvement in calorific value and self-ignition temperature compared to the B20 biodiesel blend. Among the Nano-biodiesel blends considered WCOME B20 RGO80 showed comparatively higher BTE (11.67%), reduced emissions of smoke opacity (14.63%), HC (21.42%), CO (16.67%), ID (10%), CD (16.67%) and increased NOx (2.5%), and PP (15.38%) respectively when compared to the WCOBD B20 blend.

Vibration analysis using wavelet transformation technique and performance characteristics of a diesel engine fueled with tamarind biodiesel-diesel blends and diverse additives

This study investigates the combustion, performance characteristics, and emission levels of diesel and tamarind biodiesel mixtures (B20, B30, B40, and B100) in a single-cylinder, four-stroke, direct injection (DI) diesel engine. Further, two fuel additives, namely Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) (an antioxidant) and Diethyl ether (DEE) (a cetane improver), were separately added to B20 to enhance the engine characteristics. In addition, Wavelet Transform and Wavelet Packet algorithms were used to investigate the vibration behaviour of the tested fuels. The results demonstrate that the B20 blend improved the performance and generated less emission than the other blends. Moreover, the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) for B20+BHT were 3.8% higher and 4.1% less than B20, respectively. B20+DEE combustion showed lower CO and smoke pollutants by 51% and 19% compared to B20, respectively. The NOx emissions for the blends containing BHT and DEE were decreased by 16% and 9%, respectively. The engine vibration analysis showed almost the same frequency with fuel blends B20 and B30, which were similar to the diesel fuel values. The results concluded the tamarind biodiesel/diesel mixtures with BHT and DEE improved the performance and emissions behaviors of DI diesel engine and could be considered a potential alternative biofuel for such engines. Wavelet analysis of the engine was accurately employed to extract the prominent features of the vibrations.

Exploring the synergistic potential of prosopis juliflora and waste plastic oil biodiesel through investigation of performance, combustion, and emission in a CRDI engine: A shift towards sustainable fuel

This study aimed to explore the potential of using Prosopis Juliflora (PJ) and Waste Plastic Oil (WPO) as hybrid biodiesel in a Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDI) engine to mitigate environmental effects. The performance, combustion, and emissions of biodiesel-diesel blends (B10, B15, B20, and B25) were analyzed at engine loads (20–100%) with EGR levels (10 and 20%) and the results were compared with diesel fuel and 0% EGR. The results showed enhanced brake thermal efficiency for B10 blend at 20% load and B15 blend at 60% and 100% load by 9.68%, 4.89%, and 6.23% compared to diesel fuel with 10% EGR. Biodiesel blends with higher EGR rates had lower peak cylinder pressure and heat release than diesel. B10 blend with 20% EGR had the highest NOx reduction (21.85 and 43.07%) at 20 and 100% load, while all biodiesel blends had higher smoke emissions than diesel. However, among the blends, B20 blend with 10% EGR reduced smoke by 19.79 and 12.63% at 20 and 100% load. Across all EGR levels, B20 blends exhibited lower HC emissions than diesel. Overall, this study showed that PJ and WPO biodiesel with 10% EGR outperformed baseline diesel fuel in performance and emissions.