Nano-Alumina Incorporated Mahua Biodiesel and its Impact on Engine Efficiency and Emissions

Abstract

Novel fuels for internal combustion engines are being tested due to increased energy demand and the presence of pollutants. Alternative energies can be produced from biowaste, plants and their seeds, which have become a crucial source. IC engines powered by petroleum have a significant impact on the environment, resulting in various environmental issues. Hence, incorporating an alternative fuel into an engine may require modifications to achieve comparable performance to traditional fuels. The performance of mahua biodiesel and diesel blends, including alumina nano additive, was examined in a single-cylinder compression ignition engine. The performance of mahua biodiesel and its diesel blends, with the addition of alumina nanoparticles, was evaluated in a single-cylinder compression ignition engine. The engine was tested using different fuels. The performance and emissions of mahua biodiesel blend with concentrations of 20%, 40% and 100% were assessed under different load conditions. The performance of a biodiesel blend consisting of 20% mahua biodiesel and 80% diesel (B20) was favourable compared to other biodiesel blends, showing minimal tailpipe emissions. A blend of biodiesel, comprising 80% diesel and 20% mahua biodiesel, was prepared with the addition of nano alumina at concentrations of 25 and 50 ppm. The biodiesel blend, containing 50 ppm of alumina nanoparticles, exhibits improved thermal efficiency and reduced emissions due to better fuel atomization caused by the presence of nanoparticles. The Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) and Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) of biodiesel blended with 50 ppm alumina nanoparticles increased by 2.85% and decreased by 14% respectively, compared to regular diesel fuel. The use of mahua biodiesel blended with regular biodiesel led to a significant reduction in HC and CO emissions by 20% and 14% respectively. Nano-blended mahua biodiesel proves to be a superior substitute energy source for unaltered compression ignition engines.