Evaluation of TiO2 Nanoparticle-Enhanced Palm and Soybean Biodiesel Blends for Emission Mitigation and Improved Combustion Efficiency

Abstract

The use of biodiesel as an alternative to conventional diesel fuels has gained significant attention due to its potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy sustainability. This study explores the impact of TiO2 nanoparticles on the emission characteristics and combustion efficiency of biodiesel blends in compression ignition (CI) engines. The fuels analyzed include diesel, SB20 (soybean biodiesel), SB20 + 50 TiO2 ppm, SB20 + 75 TiO2 ppm, PB20 (palm biodiesel), PB20 + 50 TiO2 ppm, and PB20 + 75 TiO2 ppm. Experiments were conducted under a consistent load of 50% across engine speeds ranging from 1000 to 1800 RPM. While TiO2 nanoparticles have been widely recognized for their ability to enhance biodiesel properties, limited research exists on their specific effects on soybean and palm biofuels. This study addresses these gaps by providing a comprehensive analysis of emissions, including NOX, CO, CO2, and HC, as well as exhaust gas temperature (EGT), across various engine speeds and nanoparticle concentrations. The results demonstrate that TiO2 nanoparticles lead to a reduction in CO emissions by up to 30% and a reduction in HC emissions by 21.5% at higher concentrations and engine speeds. However, this improvement in combustion efficiency is accompanied by a 15% increase in CO2 emissions, indicating more complete fuel oxidation. Additionally, NOX emissions, which typically increase with engine speed, were mitigated by 20% with the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles. Exhaust gas temperatures (EGTs) were also lowered, indicating enhanced combustion stability. These findings highlight the potential of TiO2 nanoparticles to optimize biodiesel blends for improved environmental performance in CI engines.