Experimental Investigation for Determining an Ideal Algal Biodiesel–Diesel Blend to Improve the Performance and Mitigate Emissions Using a Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

The ongoing depletion of the world’s fossil fuel sources and environmental damage has compelled the quest for alternative energy. Excellent characteristics of biodiesel include its renewable nature, safety, absence of sulfur, environmental advantages, and biodegradability, which can eradicate the above problems. In this study, algal oil was characterized to obtain the fatty acid profile, and the free fatty acid value of algal oil suggested a two-step process of esterification and transesterification for efficient biodiesel production. The performance and emission results of biodiesel and its blends (B10, B20, and B30) were investigated in a constant speed, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 3.5 kW compression ignition engine at different loads for arriving at an appropriate fuel blend ratio. The response surface methodology technique is used to predict the ideal composition of microalgae–diesel using the experimental data with due weightage for the optimization criterion. The predicted blend ratio of B25 was tested on the engine and authenticated. The findings recorded an improvement in brake thermal efficiency to 31.42% and reduction in brake specific energy consumption to 9.82 MJ/kW h, unburned hydrocarbon to 85 ppm, carbon monoxide to 0.164% v/v, carbon dioxide to 4.115% v/v, nitrogen oxides to 691 ppm, and smoke opacity to 16.93%.

Investigation into the Ideal Concoction for Performance and Emissions Enhancement of Jatropha Biodiesel-Diesel with CuO Nanoparticles Using Response Surface Methodology

“…This could be rectified by the presence of the O 2 molecules in the combustion, which leads to improved combustion. Due to the high viscosity and low volatility of biodiesel, it affects the atomization properties of the fuel and leads to poor combustion. − Further, the smoke opacities for the emulsified blends of B20CuO25, B20CuO50, B20CuO75, and B20CuO100 were found to be 11.6, 10.9, 10.1, and 10.3 N, respectively. B20CuO75 was revealed to have 17.58% lower smoke emissions than B20 without nanoadditive and 9.82% lower emissions than diesel.…”

Metal Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Production in Water Splitting

“…3 In recent decades, hydrogen has been called the best and most promising alternative due to its high gravitational energy density, environmental friendliness, and combustion without producing pollutants. 4 Meanwhile, the energy density of hydrogen is approximately equivalent to 33.5 kWh/kg of usable energy, while this amount of energy for diesel is about 13 kWh/ kg. 5 In other words, the energy of 1 kg of hydrogen, which is used to power the electric motor in fuel cells, is equivalent to a gallon of diesel.…”

Optimization of ideal engine parameters to adopt ammonia and algae biodiesel for reactivity controlled compression ignition engine using response surface methodology

“…It was employed for RSM statistical analysis since it makes accurate predictions. 50 In another source, gasoline diesel fueled Compression Ratio (CR) optimization was carried out from CR 6 to 14. It was discovered that a CR 14 offered better Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) and improved Brake Specific Energy Consumption (BSEC) compared to CR 16.…”