Effect of nanoparticle-blended biodiesel mixtures on diesel engine performance, emission, and combustion characteristics

The research work investigates the combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of a CI engine using neat biodiesel (B100: 100% rubber seed oil methyl ester) mixed with alumina and titanium oxide nanoparticles in the proportions of 25 ppm and 50 ppm separately. Nanoparticles (alumina and titanium dioxide) in different proportions like 25 ppm and 50 ppm were mixed with the neat biodiesel, and 2% of surfactant (Span80) was added, and the mixtures were agitated by an ultrasonicator to achieve uniform particle dispersion in the blend. The nanoparticle-blended biodiesel mixtures are designated as B100A25 (B100 + 25 ppm of alumina), B100A50 (B100 + 50 ppm of alumina), B100T25 (B100 + 25 ppm of TiO₂), and B100T50 (B100 + 50 ppm of TiO₂). Experiments were conducted in a single-cylinder DI diesel engine using neat biodiesel blended with alumina and titanium dioxide nanoparticle mixtures at different operating conditions. The test results revealed that the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of the engine with nanoparticle-blended fuel (B100T50) increased by 5.2% and brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) decreased by 10.56%. The CO, HC, and smoke emissions decreased by 44%, 28%, and 44%, respectively, whereas the NO_x emissions increased by 21% as compared to that of neat biodiesel at full load.