Increased Hot-Plate Ignition Probability for Nanoparticle-Laden Diesel Fuel

Abstract

The present study attempts to improve the ignition properties of diesel fuel by investigating the influence of adding aluminum and aluminum oxide nanoparticles to diesel. As part of this study, droplet ignition experiments were carried out atop a heated hot plate. Different types of fuel mixtures were used; both particle size (15 and 50 nm) as well as the volume fraction (0%, 0.1%, and 0.5%) of nanoparticles added to diesel were varied. For each type of fuel mixture, several droplets were dropped on the hot plate from a fixed height and under identical conditions, and the probability of ignition of that fuel was recorded based on the number of droplets that ignited. These experiments were repeated at several temperatures over the range of 688-768 degrees C. It was observed that the ignition probability for the fuel mixtures that contained nanoparticles was significantly higher than that of pure diesel.

Decreasing nanofluid droplet heating time with alternating magnetic fields

“…As for instance, recent experimental results have shown an anomalous thermal conductivity enhancement by introducing very small amounts of copper nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, magnetite nanoparticles, among other colloidal particles in the liquid carriers. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] In addition, enhanced ignition properties has been found on fuels containing aluminum nanoparticles. 5 Besides better heat transfer properties nanoparticles also act as catalysts and can help on the reduction in pollutant production.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] In addition, enhanced ignition properties has been found on fuels containing aluminum nanoparticles. 5 Besides better heat transfer properties nanoparticles also act as catalysts and can help on the reduction in pollutant production. 6 Basically, nanofluids are promising systems to enhance the efficiency of ignition and combustion of liquid fuels.…”

“…In the latter case decreasing the fuel droplets lifetime is crucial. 5 The general strategy to achieve this goal is to decrease the size of the fuel droplets. Another recent alternative is to introduce small amounts of nanostructures into the fuel, since higher effective liquid thermal conductivity decreases the heating time of the droplets.…”

“…Another recent alternative is to introduce small amounts of nanostructures into the fuel, since higher effective liquid thermal conductivity decreases the heating time of the droplets. 5 In this work we propose another alternative way of decreasing the heating time of droplets through the use of magnetic nanofluids under alternating magnetic fields. The idea is to use the magnetic hyperthermia as another source of heating to enhance the performance of the combustion of fuels.…”

Numerical Investigation of Effect of Nano-Aluminum Addition on NOx and CO Pollutants Emission in Liquid Fuels Combustion

“…Jackson et al [10] revealed that addition of aluminum nanoparticles could substantially decrease the ignition delay time of slurries of n-dodecane. Tyagi et al [11] by using a simple hot-plate experiment, found that nano-aluminum significantly enhance the ignition probability of diesel fuel. Beloni et al [12] studied effects of pure aluminum, mechanically alloyed Al 0.7 Li 0.3 , and nanocomposite 2B + Ti as nano additives on flame length, flame speed and flame temperature of decane-based slurries.…”