Effects of particle size of cerium oxide nanoparticles on the combustion behavior and exhaust emissions of a diesel engine powered by biodiesel/diesel blend

Abstract

Meeting the emission norms specified by governing bodies is one of the major challenges faced by engine manufacturers, especially without sacrificing engine performance and fuel economy. Several methods and techniques are being used globally to reduce engine emissions. Even though emissions can be reduced, doing so usually entails a deterioration in performance. To address this problem, nanoadditives such as cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles are used to reduce engine emissions while improving engine performance. However, some aspects of the application of these nanoadditives are still unknown. In light of that, three sizes of CeO2 nanoparticles (i.e., 10, 30, and 80 nm) and at a constant volume fraction of 80 ppm were added to a 20% blend of waste cooking oil biodiesel and diesel (B20). A single-cylinder diesel engine operating at a 1500 rpm speed and 180 bar fuel injection pressure was used to compare the performance and emission characteristics of the investigated fuel formulations. The results showed that the addition of CeO2 nanoparticles led to performance improvements by reducing brake specific fuel consumption. Moreover, the catalytic action of CeO2 nanoparticles on the hydrocarbons helped achieve effective combustion and reduce the emission of carbon monoxide, unburnt hydrocarbon, oxides of nitrogen, and soot. Interestingly, the size of the nanoadditive played an instrumental role in the improvements achieved, and the use of 30 nm-sized nanoparticles led to the most favorable performance and the lowest engine emissions. More specifically, the fuel formulation harboring 30 nm nanoceria reduced brake specific fuel consumption by 2.5%, NOx emission by 15.7%, and smoke opacity by 34.7%, compared to the additive-free B20. These findings could shed light on the action mechanism of fuel nanoadditives and are expected to pave the way for future research to develop more promising fuel nanoadditives for commercial applications.

Size Effect of Nanoceria Blended with CIME Biodiesel on Engine Characteristics

“…With the increase in NP size, it is observed that the SFC is slightly higher. It has been shown that larger sized NPs have lower thermal conductivity [ 69 ] and higher fuel viscosity. The lower thermal conductivity and higher viscosity of larger NPs cause poor atomization, mixing, and combustion characteristics, which increases the SFC.…”

Engine Performance Using Blended Fuels of Biodiesel and Eco Diesel

“…In this study, the uncertainty of the dependent variable was calculated using the errors involved in measuring independent parameters using Eq. ( 7) [48]. 4 is a graph of specific fuel consumption.…”

Recent advancement in the application of metal based nanoadditive in diesel/biodiesel fueled compression ignition engine: A comprehensive review on nanofluid preparation and stability, fuel property, combustion, performance, and emission characteristics

“…However, HRR is reported to lower with the inclusion of Al 2 O 3 NP with diesel‐JME blend (B20) at a dosage level of 30 ppm, 40 diesel‐PGME blend (B25) at dosage levels of 50 and 100 ppm, 82 diesel‐PLOME blend (B20) at a dosage level of 30 mg/L, 154 diesel‐JOME‐ethanol blend (D70B10E20) at dosage levels of 15–100 mg/L, 145 water‐diesel emulsion (D83W15) at a dosage level of 100 ppm, 90 CME‐water emulsion (B83W15) at a dosage level of 100 ppm, 91 diesel‐PLOME blend (B20) at a dosage level of 30 mg/L, 154 and diesel‐ethanol blend (E10) at a dosage level of 100 ppm 88 compared to fuel with no Al 2 O 3 NP additive. Addition of CeO 2 NP to diesel‐WCOME blend (B20) at a 80 ppm dosage level, 43 diesel‐WCOME blend (B30) at a dosage level of 90 ppm, 155 RME (B5)‐water emulsion at dosage of 90 ppm, 96 and diesel‐JME‐ethanol blend (D80B15E4) at a doping level of 100 mg/L 157 led to enhanced HRR. However, HRR is decreased with the inclusion of CeO 2 NP with LGO‐water emulsion (O93W5) at 30 ppm dosage level 36 and diesel‐castor oil methyl ester (COME)‐ethanol blend (D70B10E20) at a dosage level of 25 ppm 156 .…”

“…100 ppm CeO 2 NP doped diesel‐MME blend (B20) decreased smoke emission by 8% compared to neat diesel 94 . In addition, 80 ppm CeO 2 NP doped waste cooking oil biodiesel blend (B20) enormously lowered smoke emission of a single cylinder, water cooled, Kirloskar TV1, CI engine by 53% 43 . Inclusion of CuO NP at 50 ppm dosage level with B20 blend of mahua biodiesel lowered smoke emission up to 12.5% 64 .…”