Biodiesel-ethanol Blends Research Articles

Numerical study of effect of post injection coupled with EGR on combustion and emission performances of CRDI engine fueled with biodiesel-ethanol blends

Energy shortage and environmental pollution are becoming more serious, biodiesel is regarded as the most promising alternative fuel for diesel engines due to its environmentally friendly and renewable characteristics. In this study, the biodiesel-ethanol blends were used in a diesel engine, and the purpose of the study was to simultaneously control the NOx and soot emissions of the diesel engine by adjusting the injection strategy and EGR rate. A turbocharged, six-cylinder, common rail direct injection (CRDI) engine model was established using GT-Power. The effects of the main-post injection strategy and post injection coupled with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on combustion and emission characteristics were investigated at a maximum torque speed and a medium load. The results show that when the main-post injection strategy is employed, the combustion duration of the main injection is shortened with an increase in the main-post injection interval (MPI). When the MPI increased to more than 18 °CA, the heat release of post injection could be observed clearly from the curve of the heat release rate, NOx emissions decreased by 5.70% and 7.12%, respectively, and soot emissions decreased by 25.56% and 30.20%, respectively. Moreover, with the increasing post injection quantity, the combustion duration of the main injection shortened, and the peak heat release rate (PHRR) of the post injection increased. When the fuel quantity for the post injection increased from 2 to 6 mg, NOx emissions decreased from 2.33% to 9.80%, and soot emissions decreased from 16.10% to 34.97%. The effect of post injection quantity on emissions was more significant than that of the MPI. In addition, with increasing EGR rate, the ignition delay is prolonged, the peak cylinder pressure, PHRR, peak combustion temperature and NOx emissions decrease, whereas soot emissions increase gradually. Main-post injection can improve the NOx-soot trade-off, the optimal EGR rate is 22.86% under a post injection quantity of 4 mg and a MPI of 22 °CA.

Pour point prediction of biodiesel-ethanol blends by near-infrared spectroscopy

Pour Point measurement is essential to assess biodiesel use in cold weather. In this work, biodiesel samples were obtained from 4 different types of cooking oil (sunflower oil, sunflower and soya oil, sunflower and corn oil, and corn oil). Biodiesel mixtures with ethanol were prepared by weight (% w/w). The pour point of the mixtures was measured according to the ASTM D97-08 procedure, which needs a cooling bath, able to attain very low temperatures (till −16 °C in the present work), and it is based on visual inspection of the mixture flowing ability. However, this procedure is tedious and time-consuming.NIR spectra of the biodiesel-ethanol mixtures were obtained in a very short time (approximately 1 min), and partial least-squares regression (PLS) was used to create a calibration model for the pour point prediction. In addition, the same spectra were used to develop a model for the ethanol content. Both models showed good prediction capability, with cross-validation standard error of prediction of 0.6177 for the percentage of ethanol and 0.9899 for the pour point. Although the error of prediction was higher for pour point than for ethanol, residual prediction deviation (RDP) for pour point was 3.4, and for ethanol it was 27, the lower RPD may be considered an excellent value for most analytical purposes.

Influence of additive mixed ethanol-biodiesel blends on diesel engine characteristics

Automobile pollution has escalated the environmental degradation manifold, causing climate change. Numerous research works are being carried out to find alternative fuels that can improve efficiencies and limit emission levels. The present research work focuses on experimental investigation of DICI-VCR engine is performed to evaluate the performance and emission (PCE) characteristics using ethanol and Al2O3 nanoparticle blended biodiesel. Nine blends of biodiesel, diesel, and ethanol were prepared on v/v basis. Biodiesel was mixed in constant proportions and Al2O3 nanoparticles were added as additives in the blends with the proportion of 100 ppm. Physical and chemical properties were tested and found within the limits of ASTM D6751 and ASTM D975 standards. Experiments were conducted at constant compression ratio (18:1) with variable loading at full throttle condition. The study showed that the reduction in performance and emission characteristics such as brake thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency, volumetric efficiency, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons ranges from 3.7% to 8.7%, 3.4% to 9.9%, 0.3% to 0.6%, 7.5% to 26.5%, and 8% to 27% respectively whereas increment in brake specific fuel consumption, exhaust gas temperature, carbon dioxide, and oxides of nitrogen as 4.5% to 22.4%, 0.9% to 4.8%, 17.5% to 43%, 4% to 9% respectively observed in comparison with neat diesel.

Emissions of PAHs, Nitro-PAHs and Quinones (Oxy-PAHs) Associated to PM1.0 and PM2.5 Emitted by a Diesel Engine Fueled with Diesel-Biodiesel-Ethanol Blends

Emissions of PAH, nitro-PAHs, and oxy-PAHs from a diesel engine fueled with diesel-biodiesel-ethanol blends need to be controlled and reduced, as they are unregulated emissions harmful to the environment and human health. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of ethanol concentration on diesel engine emissions when fueled with diesel–biodiesel–ethanol blends. Ethanol was added with biodiesel–diesel blends. Diesel B7 and two ternary blends, B7E3 and B7E10, with 3% and 10% ethanol, were tested and studied in a diesel engine to determine engine performance characteristics and particulate matter emissions and to quantify polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) associated with PM1.0 and PM2.5. Under the same engine conditions, 18 PAHs, 27 nitro-PAHs, and 6 quinones (oxy-PAHs) were determined by GC–MS in real samples obtained from the engine. The mean concentrations of PACs found in the B7, B7E3, and B7E10 blends for PM1.0 ranged from 0.1 µg m−3 (coronene) to 118.1 µg m−3 (2-nitrofluorene). The concentrations for PM2.5 ranged from 0.1 µg m−3 (acenaphthylene) to 99.7 µg m−3 (2-nitrofluorene). Potent mutagens benzanthrone (BA) and 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) were found at concentrations ranging from 0.10 µg m−3 to 1.9 µg m−3 and 0.3 µg m−3 to 1.6 µg m−3, respectively. Low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs were mainly PACs bounded to the PM1.0 and PM2.5 particles emitted by B7E10. Flow properties were improved by adding 3% and 10% ethanol to biodiesel. B7E3 and B7E10 blends presented low fuel consumption and a reduction in the emission factor (EF) by the engine. B7E10 blending showed a smaller total concentration of ∑PAH (26.8 µg m−3), ∑nitro-PAH (85.4 µg m−3), and ∑oxy-PAH (6.0 µg m−3) associated with PM2.5 particles compared PM1.0.

Determination of carbonyls and size-segregated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and their nitro and alkyl analogs in emissions from diesel–biodiesel-ethanol blends

This study characterizes carbonyls (RCHO), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), their nitrated (nitro-PAHs) and alkylated (alkyl-PAHs) in particulate matter in the exhaust emissions of a diesel engine. The measurements were made with a standard engine, often found in vans used in Brazil, fueled with pure commercial diesel and mixtures of 10, 20, and 30% biodiesel with 2, 4, and 6% of ethanol. Particulate matter sampling was carried out with a 10-stage cascade impactor. Chemical analyses for PAHs and their derivatives were conducted using gas phase chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). RCHO were sampled using impingers with 2,4-DNPH and analyzed using HPLC with UV detection. The results showed that emissions of all the PAHs and their derivatives were reduced with the use of biodiesel and ethanol, with the exception of the blend of 30% biodiesel with 4% ethanol. However, all the RCHO emissions increased with biodiesel and ethanol. High correlations were observed between the emissions of PAHs, alkyl-PAHs and nitro-PAHs, which suggests a similarity in the formation mechanisms of these compounds. All PAHs' emissions have a strong negative correlation with biodiesel content and with RCHO emissions and a medium correlation with ethanol content. In contrast, biodiesel and ethanol with the RCHO emissions lead to a positive correlation coefficient of these compounds which is more pronounced for biodiesel than ethanol.

Experimental Study on Combustion Characteristics of Biodiesel–Ethanol Dual Fuel: An Overview

Biodiesel and bioethanol are two renewable fuels available on the market, both of which have been used on internal combustion engines as an additive as they have physicochemical properties similar to commercial petroleum fuels. However, different properties of biodiesel and ethanol in terms of viscosity and energy density directly affect the combustion process of internal combustion engines. This article aims to analyze and evaluate the influence of 100% blended biofuels including biodiesel-ethanol on combustion characteristics and emissions under diesel engine conditions, as well as the status of biodiesel-ethanol fuel use, a recommended orientation for the development of adaptive diesel engine in the future at Vietnam. These studies on the influence of biodiesel-ethanol fuels blend were carried out on the optical research engine system (constant volume combustion chamber) and the actual engine testing. The results revealed that change in the concentration of ethanol affects the physicochemical properties of BE fuels blend, and using more ethanol in the mixture causes more effect on the trend of combustion characteristics and emissions. Consequently, it is possible to use a 100% biodiesel-ethanol blend on conventional diesel engines with little modifications.

Atomization and combustion characteristics of a biodiesel–ethanol fuel droplet in a uniform DC electric field

Electric field has the potential to influence the combustion characteristics of hydrocarbon fuel. In this paper, the atomization and combustion characteristics of the droplets of biodiesel and biodiesel–ethanol blend in a uniform direct-current electric field were investigated using photography. It was revealed that a certain electric field strength could induce droplet deformations and cone jets. For the droplet blended with 10 vol. % ethanol, the sizes of the secondary droplets from bubble breakups decreased with the increase in electric field strength, possibly due to the Coulomb repulsion in the ligament. The high breakup intensity of the droplet blended with 30 vol. % and 50 vol. % ethanol covered up the effect of electric field on the sizes of secondary droplets from bubble breakups. During the entire range of electric field strength, cone jets generated smaller secondary droplets in comparison with bubble breakups. Moreover, the electric field distorted the flame morphology, especially the flame width increased at the electric field strength of 50 kV/m. The maximum droplet temperature decreased with the electric field strength, in addition to the biodiesel droplet. Overall, the electric field ameliorates fuel droplets' atomization and combustion characteristics.

Thermodynamic Investigation of a Modified Compression Ignition Engine Fueled by Diesel Biodiesel Ethanol Blends

The present study contrasts the thermodynamics analysis of modified diesel engines with traditional diesel engines. Thermodynamics study is done by the use of energy and exergy analysis for diesel, B20 (blend of 80 per cent diesel by volume with 20 per cent mahua biodiesel) and LHR modification and LTC 15 per cent EGR fuelled with B20 blend and 5 per cent ethanol with various loads ranging from no load to full load. Implemented two technologies for increasing engine efficiency. One of the primary techniques is the Low Heat Rejection (LHR) concept (or the so-called “Adiabatic” engine) applied. In the engine cylinder, a ceramic layer of Alumina (Al2O3) was used to modify the Low Heat Rejection (LHR). Another technique is Low-temperature combustion (LTC) modes are added by joining the inlet and exhaust pipes through valves to control the exhaust gas at an optimal rate of 15 per cent. The findings of energy and exergy distribution in the engine were compared using optimum alterations with fuel blends such as 20 per cent mahua biodiesel and 5 per cent ethanol. From energy distribution, best shaft power (QBP) (2.8kW) is transformed from heat input observed in the optimum altered engine at full load conditions compared to others. Due to modifications employed in the engine and fuels. Maximum unaccounted energy (QUN) loss in diesel (44 %). And highest thermal efficiency (31.2 %) is revealed in B20E5 (LHR+15 % LTC). From exergy distribution, it noticed that the same trend of energy distribution and at 100 per cent load condition, maximum (12.54kW) in diesel and minimum (8.45 kW) in B20E5 (LHR+15 % LTC) has obtained input availability (Ain).The maximum conversion rate of availability in brake power (Abp) (0.61 kW) in B20 (LHR). Compared to diesel, second law or exergetic efficiency more in B20E5 (LHR+15 % LTC).

Spray characteristics of biofuels for advance combustion engines

This study investigates spray characteristics, flashing and non-flashing, of unsaturated neem biodiesel (BD), biodiesel-ethanol (BDE50) blend, and diesel for application in advanced combustion engines. Fuel properties, injection pressure, nozzle geometry, and the surrounding ambient gas conditions govern the spray breakup and air-fuel mixing. The spray characteristics of fuel is studied at various injection pressure and ambient gas densities using the high-speed shadowgraphy technique. BDE50 shows improved spray dispersion with distinct tree-shaped spray morphology at ambient density of 1.14 kg/m 3 and injection pressure of 50 MPa. Theoretical analysis confirms occurrence of cavitation due to high volatile component (ethanol) in biofuel mixture and throttling conditions. At high ambient gas density and injection pressure, diesel and BDE50 exhibit high spray cone angle. Neem biodiesel maintains high tip penetration and low cone angle due to poor atomization. The study recommends use of BDE50 blend for achieving improved mixture formation in engines. • Dual (reactivity) biofuels spray atomization strongly controls the air-fuel mixing and combustion. • Cavitation induced flashing with BDE50 spray shows improved spray dispersion with distinct tree shaped spray morphology. • Theoretical analysis confirms cavitation (in BDE50) by throttling conditions. • Recommended to use the BDE50 instead of biodiesel for achieving the improved mixture formation.

Effect of Biodiesel B100 and Ethanol Blends on the Performance of Small Diesel Engine

<p class="02abstracttext"><span lang="IN">A small diesel engine is a machine that has high efficiency but causes a high level of pollution. The most widely used fuel so far is fossil energy which is unrenewable energy. The fruit of the Calophyllum inophyllum plant has great potential to be developed as alternative energy for small diesel engines. In this study, the test fuel used was D100, B100, E5, E10, and E15. The small engine diesel used TG-R180 Diesel with a compression ratio of 20:1 at engine turns 1500, 1800, 2100, and 2400 rpm, and the braking load at a constant prony disc brake is 1,5 kg/cm<sup>2</sup>. The result of the study using E10 fuel can improve engine performance and can reduce the opacity of the exhaust gas. The highest power in the D100 fuel at 2100 rpm is 8,06 PS. The highest thermal efficiency of E10 fuel is 50,29%. The use of Calophyllum inophyllum biodiesel (B100) can reduce exhaust gas opacity in small diesel engines when compared to the use of D100. E10 fuel has the lowest exhaust gas opacity rate of 4,1%.</span></p>

Effects of ethanol on the evaporation and burning characteristics of palm-oil based biodiesel droplet

Palm biodiesel-ethanol blends could be the better automotive fuel over palm biodiesel alone owing to the high oxygen content and high volatility of ethanol. The evaporation and burning characteristics of palm biodiesel with 10%, 20%, and 30% ethanol by volume concentration respectively, were investigated by using the droplet experiment. Rapid bubble growth and bubble explosions during the heating stage were observed to be substantial for the palm biodiesel droplet added with 30% volume of ethanol (BE30). Adding ethanol in palm biodiesel increased the ignition delay and burn-rate constant by up to 38.6% and 23.2%, respectively whereas, the evaporation duration and burning period decreased by up to 20.6% and 22.5%, respectively. Overall, the relatively shorter evaporation duration and higher burn-rate found for the BE30 droplet could promote high thermal efficiency and has the potential to achieve ultra-low carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbons (UHCs) emissions in diesel and gas turbine engines.

Experimental study on spray characteristics, combustion stability, and emission performance of a CRDI diesel engine operated with biodiesel–ethanol blends

Biodiesel is a promising alternative fuel for diesel engines, but its high viscosity and low volatility have limitations in decreasing emissions. As a renewable alternative fuel with a high oxygen content, ethanol blended with biodiesel can decrease kinematic viscosity and improve fuel evaporation. In this study, the effects of the ethanol addition ratio on the spray, combustion, and emission performances of a diesel engine fuelled with biodiesel were investigated. The spray characteristics were measured using a high-speed camera and Malvern laser analysis, whereas the combustion and emission performances were tested on a turbocharged common rail direct injection (CRDI) diesel engine. The results show that adding ethanol to biodiesel enlarges the spray cone angle (SCA) and shortens spray tip penetration (STP). In addition, the curves of the size–volume distribution (SVD) of the atomized fuel droplets move toward a smaller diameter, and the Sauter mean diameter (SMD) of the biodiesel–ethanol (BE) blends gradually decreases with increasing ethanol proportion. At low loads, the fuel injection strategy is multi-injection, and the peak cylinder pressures (PCPs) of BE blends are 0.77–1.96% higher than that of diesel at different ethanol blending ratios. However, the peak heat release rates (PHRRs) of BE blends are 9.3–11.5% higher than that of diesel owing to a faster combustion rate, longer main-injection duration, and more hydroxyl radicals generated in the pilot-injection stage. At medium–high loads, the injection strategy changes to single injection, the PCPs of BE blends are roughly equivalent to that of diesel, and the PHRRs of BE blends for different ethanol blending ratios are 9.76–11.91% lower than that of diesel. This is because of the lower diffusion combustion ratio, lower heat value, and change of injection duration corresponding to the variation in fuel properties. In addition, the results of the peak pressure rise rate and the cyclic variation indicate that the higher ethanol addition ratio increases the combustion noise and decreases the combustion stability. In terms of exhaust emissions, compared with biodiesel, with increasing ethanol blending ratio, the soot emissions for different BE blends decrease by 11.28–47.23%, the NOx emissions increase by 2.68–7.04%, and the HC emissions increase by 9.99–21.47%. Considering the engine performance comprehensively, a 20% ethanol blending ratio in biodiesel is recommended.

An Experimental Investigation on Performance and Emission Characteristics of PCCI Engine Using BiodieselEthanol Blends in Dual Fuel Mode

The global automotive industry is faced with the task of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions generated by vehicle exhaust. Heavy machinery like trucks, trailers, off-road vehicles, etc. powered by the diesel engines. These vehicles emit large quantities of NOx and smoke emissions. The simultaneous reduction of both emissions is the key challenge for the automotive industry. Burning a homogeneous charge at relatively low temperature seems to be the means to control both the emissions simultaneously. In this experimental study, the combustion, performance and emissions characteristics of a premixed charge compression Ignition Engine (PCCI) with ethanol injected in the intake manifold of the engine along with biodiesel (Palm oil methyl ester) injected directly into the combustion chamber. The experiments were carried out in a four-stroke, single cylinder vertical water cooled, constant speed diesel engine with the range of 10- 30% premixed ethanol fuel from no load to full load condition is studied. The experiments were conducted with an engine operating in PCCI mode with biodiesel – ethanol blends in dual fuel mode. The experimental results showed that there was a slight increase in Hydrocarbon (HC) and Carbon monoxide (CO) but there was a reduction in Nitrous-oxide (NOX) and Smoke emissions for the blend containing 70% biodiesel and 30% ethanol.

Novel environmentally friendly fuel: The effect of adding graphene quantum dot (GQD) nanoparticles with ethanol-biodiesel blends on the performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine

Biodiesel fuel has some disadvantages including increase in NOx, poor atomization and incomplete combustion. Additives and catalysts can be used to reduce the negative effects of biodiesel fuel. In addition, the use of metal oxide and metal nanoparticles causes environmental hazards. However, using biodegradable nanoparticles can significantly reduce such concerns. The present study investigated the effect of adding GQD + E to B10 fuel on the emission and performance characteristics of a diesel engine. B10 was blended with GQD (90 ppm) and bioethanol (E2, E4, E6 and E8% vol). Performance and emission characteristics, including power, torque, SFC, CO, CO2, UHC and NOx emissions were measured at the speeds of 1800, 2100 and 2400 rpm and full load mode. According to the results, the addition of GQD + E to B10 improved torque and power and decreased SFC, CO, UHC and NOx. Finally, the B10 + E6 + GQD90 fuel was the best fuel regarding improved engine performance and reduced exhaust emission. The average of changes in power and torque, SFC, CO, UHC and NOx compared to D100 for B10 + E6 + GQD90 were + 15.69%, +15.39%, −17.58%, −30.30%, −38.91% and −1.54%, respectively.

Optimization and investigation the effects of using biodiesel-ethanol blends on the performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine by genetic algorithm

The purpose of this research is to investigate the combined effects of biodiesel-ethanol fuel blends on the performance and emission parameters of a diesel engine by the response surface methodology (RSM). The genetic algorithm was also applied for optimizations of the parameters. According to the results, the brake power and torque were decreased by approximately 30% with increasing the amount of ethanol in the fuel mixture. On the other hand, the BSFC of fuel blends enhanced around 16% with a higher percentage of ethanol as a result of the lower calorific value of ethanol compared with biodiesel. However, higher viscosity and density of biodiesel cause more fuel injection; so there is no notable difference in BSFC values for all blends. About emission parameters, the more percentage of ethanol resulted in less amount of smoke level and NOx emission around 38% and 17%, respectively due to the high level of oxygen in the molecular structure of ethanol. However, there is an approximately 44% decrease in CO emissions for a high percentage of biodiesel contained blends. According to the GA optimization, the results showed that the biodiesel percentage in the fuel mixture, RPM, and engine load were converged to 94.65%, 2800, and 65.75%, respectively as the optimal conditions. It is concluded that ethanol is more effective to improve the emission characteristics than that of the performance characteristics.

Effects of Diethyl Ether Introduction in Emissions and Performance of a Diesel Engine Fueled with Biodiesel-Ethanol Blends

Biofuels provide high oxygen content for combustion and do modify properties that influence the engine operation process such as viscosity, enthalpy of vaporization, and cetane number. Some requirements of performance, fuel consumption, efficiency, and exhaust emission are necessary for the validation of these biofuels for application in engines. This work studies the effects of the use of diethyl ether (DEE) in biodiesel-ethanol blends in a DI mechanical diesel engine. The blends used in the tests were B80E20 (biodiesel 80%-ethanol 20%) and B76E19DEE5 (biodiesel 76%-ethanol 19%-DEE 5%). Fossil diesel (D100) and biodiesel (B100) were evaluated as reference fuels. The results revealed similar engine efficiencies among tested fuels at all loads. The use of B100 increased CO and NOx and decreased THC compared to D100 at the three loads tested. B80E20 fuel showed an increase in NOx emission in comparison with all fuels tested, which was attributed to higher oxygen content and lower cetane number. THC and CO were also increased for B80E20 compared to B100 and D100. The use of B76E19DEE5 fuel revealed reductions in NOx and CO emissions, while THC emissions increased. The engine efficiency of B76E19DEE5 was also highlighted at intermediate and more elevated engine load conditions.

Modeling of the engine performance and exhaust emissions characteristics of a single-cylinder diesel using nano-biochar added into ethanol-biodiesel-diesel blends

This survey was aimed at investigating the effect of biodiesel/ethanol content, nano-biochar concentration, and engine speed on the engine performance and exhaust emission characteristics of a single-cylinder diesel engine. The different blend ratios of biodiesel/ethanol in neat diesel (0–8% by volume), nano-biochar particle concentrations (25–125 ppm), and engine speed (1800–2600 rpm) were used as input factors in RSM model. The experiments were designed, and models provided using the response surface method (RSM). All models derived for both engine performance and emissions variables were found to be statistically significant at a 95% confidence level. Interactive effects between the studied variables and responses were presented. In general, the inclusion of nano-biochar particles into diesel- biodiesel-ethanol blend showed a positive effect on both engine performance and exhaust emissions. The desirability approach based RSM was employed to predict the best engine working condition. The optimal engine working parameters for maximum engine performance and minimum exhaust emissions were identified as 2% biodiesel, 6% ethanol, 100 ppm nanoparticles, and 2123 rpm engine speed. The test results showed that at optimal parameters obtained, the values of the engine brake torque, power, BSFC, NOX, UHC, and CO were found to be 7.7 Nm, 1.7 kW, 219 g/kW h, 184 ppm, and 0.011%Vol., respectively.

A novel fuel based on biocompatible nanoparticles and ethanol-biodiesel blends to improve diesel engines performance and reduce exhaust emissions

Biodiesel fuel is one of the most important alternative sources that can replace fossil fuels. Biodiesel has many advantages such as high stability, non-toxicity, renewability, high flash point and excellent performance. However, it has disadvantages such as increased NOx emissions, oxidation in air, and incomplete combustion. One of the ways to reduce the negative effects of biodiesel fuel is to use additives such as nanoparticles and catalysts. However, the use of metal oxide and metal nanoparticles poses many environmental hazards. Graphene Quantum Dot (GQD) is one of the newest types of quantum dots that have extraordinary features such as biocompatibility, high thermal conductivity, excellent solubility, low production cost and non-toxicity. Given the potential toxicity of metallic nanoparticles to living organisms, biological nanoparticles such as GQD can be used to solve this problem. In the present study, the performance parameters and emissions of a diesel engine by adding GQD to bioethanol (with 2, 4 and 6%, vol) and biodiesel fuel (B10) at different engine speeds (1800, 2100 and 2400 rpm) was evaluated. The results showed that B10 + E4 + GQD60 was selected as the optimum fuel at all engine speeds since it increased engine power and torque and reduced CO and UHC emissions. In comparison with the pure diesel fuel (D100), the optimal fuel (B10 + E4 + GQD60) increased the engine power and torque for 24.59% and 20.02%. The optimum fuel also decreased CO and UHC emissions by 35.60% and 42.05% compared to the pure diesel fuel (D100).

A hybrid ANN-Fuzzy approach for optimization of engine operating parameters of a CI engine fueled with diesel-palm biodiesel-ethanol blend

This paper investigates use of artificial neural network (ANN) model in prediction of brake specific energy consumption (BSEC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), unburnt hydrocarbon (UHC), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of a single cylinder diesel engine operates with diesel-palm biodiesel-ethanol blends. The engine is run at different load form 20–100% and 1500 rpm constant speed. The fuel used in this present study are diesel and six different diesel-palm biodiesel-ethanol blends. The Levenberg-Marquardt back propagation training algorithm with logistic-sigmoid activation function results best prediction of performance and emission characteristics with accurate overall correlation coefficient (R) (0.99329–0.99875) and minimum mean square error (MSE) (0.000179082–0.000465809). The mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE) are observed to be in range of 2.32–4.54% with the acceptable margin of mean square relative error (MSRE). Furthermore, experimental and ANN predicted data are compared in fuzzy interface system (FIS) to find optimum engine operating parameters. Compared to other blends, at 20% load, D85BD10E5 blend exhibits the highest MPCI (multi performance characteristics index) values of 0.718 and 0.705 for experimental and ANN predicted data respectively. Robustness and reliability of the proposed techniques clearly explain the application of ANN and fuzzy logic system in the prediction and optimization of engine parameters.

A numerical study on the quasi-steady spray and soot characteristics for soybean methyl ester and its blends with ethanol using CFD-reduced chemical kinetics approach

This work numerically examines the quasi-steady spray combustion and soot development for soybean methyl ester (SME) and SME-ethanol blends (S90E10, S70E30). A validated reduced ethanol mechanism (37 species and 149 reactions) was formulated using a temperature sensitivity analysis under auto-ignition and jet-stirred reactor conditions. At initial pressures between 10.0 bar and 60.0 bar, initial temperatures between 750 K and 1350 K and equivalence ratios between 0.5 and 2.0, the ignition delays and key species profiles (C2H5OH, CO2, O2) of the reduced mechanism deviated by 0.5 order and 40%, respectively as compared to the experimental measurements. Subsequently, the reduced ethanol mechanism was combined with a reduced biodiesel mechanism to form a surrogate mechanism (102 species and 446 reactions) for biodiesel-ethanol blends and integrated into OpenFOAM for spray combustion modelling. Under reacting spray conditions at a constant ambient density of 22.8 kg/m3 and ambient temperatures of 900 K and 1000 K, the spray penetrations for SME-ethanol blends were shortened by 35.5% (maximum difference). Smaller flame areas with 60 K higher local flame temperature were obtained. Due to a 20% decrease in acetylene mass fractions and soot formation rates, the peak soot volume fractions for SME-ethanol blends were 19.6% lower.