Fuel additives are recognized for their potential to make diesel engines cleaner and more efficient. However, the use of Pure Palm Oil (PPaO) as a fuel faces challenges due to its inherent combustion inefficiencies. This study explores how Acetylene Black (AB), as an additive, affects the combustion performance and spray characteristics of a diesel engine. Observations of spray phenomena were conducted using a High-Speed Camera Phantom C110. The addition of AB to PPaO resulted in an increase in engine power and torque by 11.43 % at a 60 % load, averaging a 2.97 % improvement over diesel fuel (DF). PPaO demonstrated the most significant improvement in Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC) by 17.2 % at a 40 % load, averaging an 8.2 % increase. For PPaO with AB (PPaOAB), the greatest enhancement in SFC occurred at a 10 % load, showing a 9.2 % improvement over DF, with an average increase of 2.1 %. The study also found that thermal efficiency was optimally enhanced with PPaOAB at a 20 % load, achieving a remarkable 17.7 % improvement compared to DF. Notably, the inclusion of PPaOAB significantly reduced the thickness of carbon deposits on the pistons and cylinder head by 51.8 % and 3.9 %, respectively, and improved spray angle and penetration compared to PPaO. These findings suggest that AB could be a promising additive for PPaO, sparking further research interest in the application of AB in other fuels.
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