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Effect of diethyl ether and Al2O3 nano additives in diesel-biodiesel-ethanol blends: Performance, combustion and emission characteristics

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Abstract

The present experimental work is focused on improving the performance and emission characteristics of biofuel blend (diesel (40 %)-biodiesel (40 %)-ethanol (20 %)) (denoted as BE). Comparative analysis was done for addition of Diethyl ether (DEE) and alumina nanoparticle (Al2O3) at various concentrations. The test fuels used are BE, BE with 25 ppm Al2O3 (denoted as BN-1), BE with 50 ppm Al2O3 (denoted as BN-2), BE with 5 % DEE (denoted as BE-1) and BE with 10 % DEE (denoted as BE-2). Experimental results indicate that, DEE addition in BE results in increased HC (Hydrocarbon), CO (Carbon monoxide), CO2 (Carbon dioxide) and BSFC (Brake specific fuel consumption) with lowered NOx (Oxides of nitrogen) and smoke emission. This is attributed to high latent heat evaporation of mixture and Low temperature combustion (LTC). Al2O3addition in BE resulted in increase in NOx and smoke with lowered HC, CO, CO2 and BSFC. This could be attributed to enhanced surface area to volume ratio of mixture during rapid combustion process, higher catalytic combustion and reduced evaporation. At higher engine loads, the peak pressure of BE-1 is highest and that of BE-2 is lowest. Peak heat release rate of BE is highest and BN-1 is lowest. BE blends with additives (Al2O3 and DEE) resulted in higher Particulate matter (PM) formation, however BN-1 blend showed lowered PM at engine loads of 75 % and 100 %. Overall, BE-1 and BN-1 reflects better engine performance, combustion and emission characteristics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Energy Studies, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Anna University, Chennai, 600025, India

    Harish Venu & Venkataramanan Madhavan

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  1. Harish Venu
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  2. Venkataramanan Madhavan
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Correspondence to Harish Venu.

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Recommended by Associate Editor Jeong Park

Harish Venu received his Bachelors (B.E) and Masters degrees (M.E) in Mechanical Engineering from the Mechanical Engineering Department of St. Joseph’s College of Engineering and Anna University in 2011 and 2013, respectively. In July 2013, he started his Ph.D. program in Mechanical Engineering at Anna University, Chennai, India. His research interests include bio-fuels, alternative fuels, nano additives, internal combustion engines and fuel cells.

Venkataramanan Madhavan received his Bachelors degree (B.E) in Madras University in 1998 and Masters degree (M.Tech) in School of Energy in 2000. He completed his doctorate in 2008 in area of Biomass Gasification. His research interests include gasification, solar cells, alternative fuels and energy conservation.

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Venu, H., Madhavan, V. Effect of diethyl ether and Al2O3 nano additives in diesel-biodiesel-ethanol blends: Performance, combustion and emission characteristics. J Mech Sci Technol 31, 409–420 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-016-1243-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-016-1243-x

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