Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Diesel Engine Using Cerium Oxide Nanoparticle Blended Biodiesel Emulsion Fuel

Abstract

Biodiesel emulsions are considered one of the most promising alternatives to petrol fuels. The purpose of the present investigation is to study the performance characteristics and the exhaust emission characteristics of a diesel engine run on nanoparticle blended biodiesel emulsion fuel. The engine performance under biodiesel blended diesel fuel was similar to that of the diesel fuel but with higher fuel consumption mainly due to the reduced calorific value that ensued from mixing with biofuel. The biodiesel emulsion fuel was prepared by emulsification technique comprising 83% canola biodiesel, 15% water, and 2% surfactants (Span80 and Tween80) with the help of a mechanical agitator. The prepared biodiesel emulsion fuel was mixed with the cerium nanoparticles in a mass fraction of 50 parts per million (ppm) with the help of an ultrasonicator. The investigation was carried out in a constant-speed diesel engine. The cerium oxide acts as an oxygen-donating medium and also provides oxygen for the oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) or absorbs oxygen for the decrease of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The establishment force of cerium oxide burns off carbon deposits within the engine cylinder and prevents the deposition of nonpolar compounds on the cylinder wall, resulting in the reduction of hydrocarbon (HC) emissions. The experimental results showed considerable improvements in the performance and a reduction in harmful emissions with the biodiesel emulsion fuels compared with that of neat biodiesel.