Nano-fuels of Al2O3/SiO2/MgO/tamarind seed oil biodiesel for CI engines: An evaluation of combustion consumption and emission performance

Abstract

This piece of research investigates the performance of biodiesel in terms of combustion, consumption, and emission produced from tamarind seeds through the transesterification process. The tamarind seeds are a sustainable source. To enhance engine performance, the three different oxide nanoparticles of Alumina oxide (Al2O3), silicon oxide (SiO2), and magnesium oxide (MgO) were blended as additives with the base fuel. The experiments were done over four blends, namely Diesel (D), tamarind seed oil 20 % diesel 80 % (D80TSOB20), TSO20 with Al2O3 nanoparticles (D80TSOB20A), TSO20 with SiO2 nanoparticles (D80TSOB20S), and TSO25 with MgO nanoparticles (D80TSOB20M). The nanoparticles were blended with fuel by ultrasonication process. and the stability was ensured through measure of Zeta-potential values of nano-fuels (Nanofluid). The fitness of fuel was ensured through characterization of them (including standard fuel of pure diesel). The different fuel blends were tested in a single-cylinder, direct-injection, 4-stroke diesel engine at a constant speed of 1600 rpm with different load conditions like 0 %, 25 %, 50 %, 75 %, and 100 %. The combustion performance, fuel consumption, and emission levels of the different fuel blends were derived from the experimental observations. Experimental results show that a higher HRR and cylinder pressure were reported as 75 J/deg and 77 bar for the D80TSOB20A nanofuel than other fuels tested. Similarly, a higher BTE of 32 % was recorded at full load conditions for the same D80TSOB20A nano-fuel blend, which is a better BTE value than Diesel. Increases the BTE value (all fuels) due to higher fuel rates at higher loads for obtaining higher power. Furthermore, the engine's CO, UHC, NOX, and smoke capacity using tamarind seed oil biodiesel with Al2O3 nanoparticles gives a lesser value than other fuel blends.

Keywords

• Tamarind seed oil
• Biodiesel
• Nanoparticles
• Emission
• Combustion and performance