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Experimental study on NOx reduction in a grapeseed oil biodiesel-fueled CI engine using nanoemulsions and SCR retrofitment

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Abstract

Stringent emission norms impose challenges to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in reducing diesel engine emissions. Implementing renewable fuels as alternative energy sources in diesel engines leads to increased emission levels particularly NOx. In this work, performance, combustion, and emission parameters from a diesel engine powered with grapeseed oil biodiesel (GSBD) was investigated. Nano additive emulsions of cerium oxide (CeO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) at 100 ppm each were added to grapeseed oil biodiesel. To enhance the NOx reduction task further, an advanced technology called selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system was used. With easy availability of aqueous urea, careful injection, and distribution of the reductant solution, a paradigm change was brought about in NOx reduction technology. The experiments were carried out with and without SCR for better understanding and investigation. The percentage reduction of NOx emission by adding cerium oxide and zinc oxide emulsion blends were 4.19% and 13.13%, respectively. The overall reduction in NOx emission were 74.16% and 80.06% with SCR for cerium oxide and zinc oxide emulsion blends. The research conclusions make grapeseed oil biodiesel conceivable as an effective alternate fuel for diesel engines without any engine modifications.

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Abbreviations

GSBD :

grapeseed biodiesel

DOC :

diesel oxidation catalyst

DPF :

diesel particulate filter

NO x :

nitrogen oxide, specifically NO and NO2

SCR :

selective catalytic reduction

ZnO :

zinc oxide

CeO 2 :

cerium oxide

BTE :

brake thermal efficiency

HC :

hydrocarbons

PM :

particulate matter

CO :

carbon monoxide

BSFC :

brake-specific fuel consumption

EGR :

exhaust gas temperature

THC :

total hydrocarbons

UBHC :

unburned hydrocarbons

CI :

compression ignition

CFD :

computational fluid dynamics

Cu - ZSM5 :

copper zeolite Socony Mobil 5

DOC :

diesel oxidation catalyst

DPF :

diesel particulate filter

NMHC :

non-methane hydrocarbons

AUS 32 :

aqueous urea solution

B20 :

20% of biodiesel blended with 80% of diesel

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the SRM Institution for carrying out this work under the Selective Excellence Research funding scheme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur, 603203, India

    Praveena Vedagiri

  2. Department of Automobile Engineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur, 603203, India

    Leenus Jesu Martin, Edwin Geo Varuvel & Thiyagarajan Subramanian

Authors
  1. Praveena Vedagiri
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  2. Leenus Jesu Martin
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  3. Edwin Geo Varuvel
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  4. Thiyagarajan Subramanian
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Correspondence to Praveena Vedagiri.

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Highlights

• This article provides information on utilization of biomass waste as an alternative fuel for CI engines

• Discussion on impact of nanoemulsive blends and SCR device on NOx emission reduction

• Performance of SCR device at various operating temperature range

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Vedagiri, P., Martin, L.J., Varuvel, E.G. et al. Experimental study on NOx reduction in a grapeseed oil biodiesel-fueled CI engine using nanoemulsions and SCR retrofitment. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 29703–29716 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06097-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06097-8

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