Performance and emission characteristics improvement studies on a biodiesel fuelled DICI engine using water and AlO(OH) nanoparticles

Abstract The paper describes a sequence of experimental investigations conducted on a biodiesel fuelled Direct Injection Compression Ignition (DICI) engine with an objective of improving its working characteristics using Aluminium oxide hydroxide (AlO(OH)) nanoparticles as a fuel additive. Systematically prepared biodiesel from Jatropha oil and commercially available nano-sized AlO(OH) were used in this investigation. The AlO(OH) nanoparticles crystallite size and morphology were studied using XRD (X-ray diffraction) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The particles were dispersed in ppm levels (25, 50 and 100 ppm) in a set of biodiesel emulsion fuels (BD5W: Blend of 93% biodiesel + 1% Span80 + 1% Tween80 + 5% water, and BD10W: Blend of 88% biodiesel + 1% Span80 + 1% Tween80 + 10% water). The working characteristics of test fuels were investigated in a test rig, consisting of a single cylinder, four stroke DICI constant speed engine (Speed = 1500 rpm, Compression ratio = 17.5), data acquisition system and an electric loading device (Alternator). The results of the test fuels were analysed and compared with those of neat diesel and neat biodiesel. The analysis revealed that the performance parameter, namely, brake thermal efficiency, was lower, and NO level in the engine exhaust was higher for the biodiesel than that for neat diesel. However, the performance and emission characteristics were notably enhanced by the inclusion of water and nanoparticles.