Effects of Iron Nanoparticles Blended Biodiesel on the Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Diesel Engine

Abstract

The technology for use of biodiesels (up to 20%) as alternative fuel in diesel engines has already been established. In this regard, some suitable modification of biodiesel with appropriate additives may help in increasing the biodiesel component in the biodiesel fuel blends. In order to evaluate the effects of iron nanoparticles (INP) blended palm biodiesel (PB) on the performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine, an experimental investigation is carried out in a single cylinder diesel engine. Methodically, biodiesel prepared from palm oil and commercially available nanosized INP is used in this study. Iron nanoparticles are suspended in the biodiesel in proportions of 40 ppm to 120 ppm using an ultrasonicator. The intact study is conducted in the diesel engine using the four fuel samples, namely diesel, PB20, INP50PB30, and INP75PB30, consecutively. The addition of nano-additive has resulted in higher brake thermal efficiency (BTE) by 3% and break-specific energy consumption (BSEC) by 3.3%, compared to diesel fuel. The emission levels of carbon monoxide (∼56%) and NOx (∼4%) are appreciably reduced with the addition of INP. Increase of INP in the blend from 50 ppm to 75 ppm, BTE and BSEC tend to reduce, but CO and NOx emissions are reduced.