Comparing the effects of Juliflora biodiesel doped with nano-additives on the performance of a compression ignition (CI) engine: Part A

Abstract In lieu of the fact that modern-day research is saddled with the responsibility of replacing/supplementing fossil fuels with biodiesel for use in diesel engines, the challenge still remains the need to improve the properties of biofuels towards stimulating high engine compatibility and performance. Despite the advances made in improving biofuels such as those sourced from Juliflora with additives, none seems to have addressed the potentials that underly the use of hybrid nano-particles as property-improvers of Juliflora-biofuel for use in diesel engines. This then led to the need to harness the potential use of hybrid CeO2:CuO, MnO2:Al2O3, ZnO:TiO2, and TiO2:Al2O3 in different ratios as a means of determining the best combination for improved fuel properties, high engine performance and reduced emissions. The nanoparticles were produced via sol-gel method, ultrasonicated with the biofuel and characterized using scanning electron microscopy/atomic force microscopy. Based on the engine-test results, the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) increased from 1.11 to 2.21% for the biodiesel mixed with nanoparticles. Furthermore, the Nitrogen oxide (NOx), hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions for the admixed biofuels decreased by 16.29–23.76%, 14.07–17.32% and 5.51–8.27% respectively compared to conventional diesel, thus reducing environmental pollution.