Smart control strategy for effective Hydrocarbon and Carbon monoxide emission reduction on a conventional diesel engine using the pooled impact of pre-and post-combustion techniques

Abstract The entire world is witnessing climate change and its impact on the environment caused by humans. Pollution and the reliance on ever depleting fossil fuels are the major sources. This is a pressing concern to discover a sustainable substitute for energy. In this present research work, the Silkworm Oil Methyl Ester (SWOME) has been prepared by a two-step transesterification process. The catalyst used is Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) for esterification and Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for the second step process. The biodiesel yield is 98.9 wt% is obtained for SWOME at the catalyst concentration of 1.5%, constant temperature of 65°C, methanol to oil molar ratio of 12:1, 400 rpm, and 60 min of reaction time. The physicochemical properties of methyl ester silkworm oil have been tested and are found with ASTM standards. To further enhance the property of SWOME, Nano additive Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3) is added. The various blends of SWOME have been prepared and tested with the single-cylinder stationery (DI) diesel engine to investigate its Performance and Combustion. Brake thermal efficiency is found to be 33.1% for B30SWOME with 75ppm nano additive, which was 3.7% higher than that of diesel. The fuel is also tested against the effectiveness of Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) as a Post-combustion technique to reduce HC and CO emission. From the experimental testing, it is observed that HC for B30SWOME is 90% reduced and CO emission is found to be reduced up to 85% after retrofitting the DOC system. From the result, it is observed that SWOME Nano additive with DOC has more advantages on engine behavior.