Experimental Investigation of Emission, Combustion, and Energy Performance of a Novel Diesel/Colza Oil Fuel Microemulsion in a Direct-Injection Diesel Engine

Abstract

Formulation of a novel microemulsion (ME) fuel with a diesel/colza oil blend and investigation of its emission, combustion, and energy performance in a diesel engine with a direct-injection system is reported. The new ME was prepared using diesel/colza oil (4:1, 75%), water (5%), n-butanol (10%), Brij 30 (8%), and Tween 80 (2%). This blend is an economical formulation with acceptable physical properties with a high stability temperature. The results showed no significant difference between viscosity and density of new ME and diesel. The use of different surfactants in new ME formulation exerted an impressive effect on the highest stability temperature and water droplet size. All experiments were performed in a diesel engine with a direct-injection system, run under various loads at 1500 rpm speed. The fuel efficiency measurements were performed indicating that, in comparison to the neat diesel fuel, ME has a higher brake specific fuel consumption value in all engine loads and also a higher brake thermal efficiency value in medium engine loads. The level of emitted CO and unburned hydrocarbons was increased at full engine load. The CO2 emission value for ME and neat diesel was similar. Meanwhile, the amount of emitted NO x was decreased considerably, especially in the case of high loads of the engine for ME compared to neat diesel.

Critical Review on Effects of Alcohols and Nanoadditives on Performance and Emission in Low-Temperature Combustion Engines: Advances and Perspectives

“…As a consequence, the charge density rises, increasing volumetric efficiency significantly. In addition, ethanol has a lower adiabatic flame temperature, cetane number, and ignition quality than gasoline. , Heidari et al tested biodiesel and bioethanol mixed diesel made from soybean oil. The fuel density and CN of tested fuel dropped as the biodiesel blending ratio was increased.…”

Effect of alcohol on the properties of water‐in‐diesel microemulsion fuels

“…Hence, the percentage of water and sediments should be less than 0.05% (vol/vol) as per ASTM D975 . However, water stabilized in the form of microemulsions does not cause these problems, and has been found to actually improve the brake thermal efficiency when compared to that obtained with neat diesel . Thus, 0.5% (vol/vol) to 2% (vol/vol) water was included in the microemulsions.…”

A Review of Performance-Enhancing Innovative Modifications in Biodiesel Engines

“…Higher in-cylinder temperature and availability of oxygen are responsible for the formation of Nox in compression ignition engines. Hence, water in biodiesel emulsions has been tested for increased thermal efficiency and a reduction in the formation of Nox [30][31][32][33][34][35]. There was a reduction of 32% in formation of Nox, a 7.4% reduction in smoke, and a 2.3% and 1% reduction in CO and hydrocarbon (HC) were reported when water emulsified pongamia biodiesel was used in a 4-S diesel engine [36].…”