Search Results

The impact of nano-additives with the diesel and biodiesel fuels is one of the current scopes of research with regards to the fuel modification techniques. Intensive research is underway to utilize the nano-additives judiciously without affecting our ecological environment. In the present work, the effects of nano-additives (Alumina and Carbon Nanotubes) blended biodiesel emulsion fuels on the performance, smoke, gaseous emission and combustion characteristics of a constant speed four stroke single cylinder direct injection diesel engine was investigated. It is recognized that emissions of nanoparticles from diesel engines is of great concern and that if this work demonstrates a performance benefit then further work will be focused on the health impact issues. Esterification and emulsification techniques were adopted to prepare the jatropha biodiesel and jatropha water-biodiesel emulsion fuels respectively. The whole investigation was carried out in five phases.

The application of nano-additive in liquid fuel is an interesting concept yet unexplored to its full potential. In this context, alumina nanoparticles are incorporated with the diesel fuel to investigate the performance, emission and the combustion characteristics of a four stroke single cylinder diesel engine. The characterization studies such as HRTEM and XRD were carried out to analyze the morphology of the nanoparticles. The Alumina nanoparticles were doped (25, 50 and 100 ppm) with the neat diesel using an ultrasonicator, and the prepared fuel samples were subjected for the stability tests. Subsequently, the experiments were conducted in a diesel engine at a constant speed of 1500 rpm using Alumina nanoparticles blended diesel fuels and the results were compared with those of neat diesel.