An experimental investigation on the effects of magnesia and alumina nano additives on the exhaust emissions and performance of CI engine using spirulina microalgae biodiesel

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Mar;30(12):34612-34622. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-24733-8. Epub 2022 Dec 14.

Abstract

The need for non-renewable fuels is steadily decreasing with their ever-increasing cost and air pollution. As a result, renewable fuel such as biofuel is used as a fuel substitute for diesel engines. The effects of magnesia and alumina nanoparticles on the exhaust pollutants and performance of a naturally aspirated, 17.5 compression ratio, 4-stroke CI engine operating on spirulina microalgae biodiesel, and its amalgams were explored. Oxides of nitrogen, thermal efficiency, carbon dioxide, fuel consumption, and hydrocarbons were among the attributes studied. Test outcomes revealed that the doping of magnesia and alumina nano additives in spirulina biodiesel resulted in increased thermal efficiency and oxides of nitrogen, succeeded by a decrease in fuel consumption and hydrocarbons, at all loads, compared to amalgams without nano additives. At maximum load, the increase in thermal efficiency and oxides of nitrogen was found to be 1.15 and 1.46% with nano magnesia-doped blends when compared to corresponding spirulina blends. On the other, hand when nano alumina is doped in spirulina amalgams, the increase in thermal efficiency and oxides of nitrogen was observed to be 0.82 and 0.97%, respectively. Similarly, fuel consumption and hydrocarbons were reduced by 1.02 and 9.52%, 1.014, and 7.66%%, respectively, for magnesia and alumina-enriched biodiesel, contrasted to that of biodiesel blends.

Keywords: Exhaust emissions; Nano alumina; Nano magnesia; Performance; Spirulina biodiesel.

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum Oxide
  • Biofuels
  • Carbon Monoxide / analysis
  • Gasoline
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Magnesium Oxide
  • Microalgae*
  • Nitrogen Oxides / analysis
  • Spirulina*
  • Vehicle Emissions

Substances

  • Biofuels
  • Nitrogen Oxides
  • Gasoline
  • Aluminum Oxide
  • Magnesium Oxide
  • Vehicle Emissions
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Carbon Monoxide