Hydrous Ethanol–Diesel–Al₂O₃ Nanoemulsified Fuel Characterization, Stability, and Corrosion Effect

Abstract

The aim of the present work is to study the stability aspect of hydrous ethanol–diesel–Al2O3 (HEDA) nanoemulsified fuel and its corrosive effect on different metals along with the measurement of its physicochemical properties such as density, specific gravity, kinematic viscosity, phase separation layer formation, pH value, and color. The freeze–thaw cycles were used as a storage condition to analyze the stability measures. The close- and open-cap static immersion methods were used to study the corrosion effect on aluminum, stainless steel, and mild steel via the weight loss technique. The results reported an increase in the density, specific gravity, and kinematic viscosity while a decrease in the stability with an increase in water and ethanol percentage in the HEDA emulsion, without the formation of a phase separation layer. The highest-water-containing emulsion category (W20) was reported to be the least stable on the basis of stability test results, of which W20H20D80 was noticed to be the most unstable, while W5H10D90 was observed to be the most stable HEDA emulsion. The static immersion open-cap condition showed a greater corrosive effect than the close-cap condition. Mild steel is not recommended to manufacture fuel system components of a diesel engine if HEDA emulsion is used as a fuel. The HEDA emulsified fuel combustion can exhibit a toxic effect on living beings and the environment in the prolonged period of time.

Experimental investigation of 4‐cylinder compression–ignition engine parameters fueled by newly formulated hydrous ethanol–diesel‐emulsified fuel infused with nano‐sized γ‐Al2O3 particles

“…19 During HEDA-emulsified fuel preparation procedure, 30 C temperature was fixed to prevent emulsion instability due to temperature variations. 23 At lower temperatures below 20 C, this fuel encountered instability and showed preparation troubles, particularly for higher water-containing emulsion (W15 and W20) categories. Therefore, this study is not applicable to applying HEDA fuel under cold weather operating conditions of a diesel engine.…”

“…To maintain the HLB value of 9 for HEDA fuel, Span 80 to Tween 80 ratio was used as 1.273:1 19 . During HEDA‐emulsified fuel preparation procedure, 30°C temperature was fixed to prevent emulsion instability due to temperature variations 23 . At lower temperatures below 20°C, this fuel encountered instability and showed preparation troubles, particularly for higher water‐containing emulsion (W15 and W20) categories.…”

“…In a prior research work employing the weight-loss corrosion detection approach under close-and open-cap static immersion techniques, the author observed no corrosive effect of HEDA fuel on the diesel engine fuel system and its associated components. 23 As a result, it was determined that diesel engine parts made of aluminum and stainless steel may be used safely with HEDA fuel.…”

Performance and emission evaluation of CI engine fueled with ethanol diesel emulsion using NiZnFe2O4 nanoparticle additive

“…The solution to maintaining its stability is to use an emulsifying agent. The emulsifier used to stabilize the solution is the mixture of Tween 80 and span 80 to obtain the proper hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) [ 6 ].…”