Effect of using plastic nanofuel as a fuel in a light‐duty diesel engine

Abstract

A novel nanofuel is formulated using aluminum oxide (alumina) nanoparticles (AONs) in neat plastic oil (PO). A light-duty compression-ignition engine is used in the present investigation to analyze the effect of a 100% plastic nanofuel under different concentrations of nanoparticle on performance, combustion, and emission characteristics. The modified fuels used for conducting the experiment were formulated by mixing PO with 100, 150, and 200 mg/L of AON. The results of the physical and chemical properties of neat PO were significantly improved, in addition to AON. The nanofuels exhibited lower in-cylinder pressure, delay period, and combustion duration than that of neat PO operation. The performance analysis revealed a 10.3% increase in thermal efficiency for PAN200 nanofuel compared with PO and it was almost the same as that of conventional diesel fuel. The emission levels of HC, CO, and smoke for PO-based nanofuels were reduced significantly at all brake mean effective pressure values, whereas the reduction in the NO X emission was only marginal. At full load, the emission of smoke, HC and CO of the PAN200 nanofuel were lower than the diesel operation. Overall, the engine fueled with nanofuel exhibited superior characteristics compared to that of neat PO operation.combustion, diesel engine, emission, nanoaluminum oxide, nanofuel, plastic oil | INTRODUCTIONThe high performance, durability, and wide range of applications of diesel engines are the major reasons for the rapid increase in their number, especially in the last two decades. Even though compression-ignition (CI) engines produce higher brake thermal efficiency (BTE) compared with spark-ignition engines, the level of NO X , smoke, and particulate matter in their exhaust is high. Recent studies reveal that the emission from the transportation sector contributes more to the total emission level than the industrial and domestic sectors. 1,2 The products of combustion pose a great threat to both human and animal life and are major environmental concerns. Reducing the exhaust emissions of diesel engines, without compromising the performance, is still a challenge for researchers. Also, emission norms are getting more stringent every year for reducing the impact of emissions on the environment. Moreover, excessive extraction and generous consumption are declining the level of fossil fuel reserves at an alarming rate. These two issues have forced researchers to look for an alternative environment-friendly energy source. 3,4 Extensive research is underway, around the world, for finding out a potential alternative energy resource for substituting petroleum fuels. The physical and chemical properties of various biodiesels are almost similar to that of conventional fuels, so the majority of the research has been carried out using them as an alternative for diesel. 5-9 Amongst the various fuels used, plastic oil (PO) synthesized using the pyrolysis technique has gained significant attention due to its double advantage by collecting waste plastic by recovering energy ...

Thermochemical Recycling of Waste Plastics by Pyrolysis: A Review

“…In a similar approach, nanofuels containing Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles in pyrolysis oil were combusted in a lightduty compression-ignition engine at different concentrations of nanoparticles (100−200 ppm). 295 At 200 ppm nanoparticle concentration, lower in-cylinder pressure, delay period, and combustion duration were observed compared to neat pyrolysis oil. Thermal efficiency was comparable and gaseous emissions were reduced, which was even lower than diesel.…”

“…In this case, BTE increased by 2.1% for the pyrolysis oil compared to neat pyrolysis oil with a considerable drop in CO, hydrocarbon, and smoke emissions. In a similar approach, nanofuels containing Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles in pyrolysis oil were combusted in a light-duty compression-ignition engine at different concentrations of nanoparticles (100–200 ppm) . At 200 ppm nanoparticle concentration, lower in-cylinder pressure, delay period, and combustion duration were observed compared to neat pyrolysis oil.…”

Evaluation of Ecological Parameters of a Compression Ignition Engine Fueled by Diesel Oil with an Eco Fuel Shot Liquid Catalyst

“…This mixture represents an interesting alternative to standard fuel. In study [24], the authors examined the performance of a CI engine using fuel derived from plastic with the addition of aluminum oxide nanoparticles in proportions of 100, 150, and 200 mg/L. The analysis showed that the addition of aluminum oxide shortens the autoignition delay period.…”