The Influence of Formulation Ratio and Emulsifying Settings on Tri-Fuel (Diesel–Ethanol–Biodiesel) Emulsion Properties

Abstract

In this study, an alternative fuel for compression ignition (CI) engines called tri-fuel emulsion was prepared using an ultrasonic emulsifier. The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of emulsifying settings and formulation ratio on the physicochemical properties of tri-fuel emulsions. Design of experiment (DOE) with the two-level factorial design was employed to analyze the effect of emulsifying settings such as time, amplitude, and cycle along with the variation ratio of tri-fuel emulsion components as control factors. Numbers of responses identified were important parameters that may contribute to microexplosion phenomenon in CI engine. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out for each response, and the results indicated that density, dynamic viscosity, surface tension, and average droplet size were influenced by specific preparation control factors. Furthermore, interaction among the control factors was found to affect the responses as well. Interaction means the effect of two factors together is different than what would be expected from each factor separately. Besides, the stability of the tri-fuel emulsion was observed for three months. Furthermore, a qualitative approach with a multiobjective lens digital microscope revealed the geometry of freshly made dispersed tri-fuel emulsion droplets. Microscopic examination on tri-fuel emulsion droplets has shown that the dispersed ethanol capsulated within diesel with the help of biodiesel is similar to a water in diesel emulsion and is dissimilar to commercial diesel mixed with fatty acid methyl esters found in the market.

Modeling Viscosity and Density of Ethanol-Diesel-Biodiesel Ternary Blends for Sustainable Environment

“…As ternary blends consist of ethanol-diesel-biodiesel, so the physiochemical characteristics, epically density and viscosity, of individual constituents are changed from each other; diesel consists of 200 types of hydrocarbons, biodiesels consist of 25 different long-chain fatty acid methyl or ethyl esters, and ethanol is considered as a pure substance [51]. The diesel-ethanol-biodiesel ternary blends have the potential to use as alternative fuels [52,53]. Reliable data on the biodiesel viscosity as well as specific viscosity models incorporating temperature dependence are very significant in the creation of combustion models as well as designing, simulation, and optimization of equipment including reactors, mixing vessel being used in the combustion processes [54].…”

Emulsions as Viable Alternative to Conventional Fuels: Current Status and Challenges

“…Furthermore, the addition of water leads to a reduction in the cetane number and heating value of the fuel since a part of the hydrocarbon is replaced with water. The microstructural properties of emulsion fuels, such as optimal droplet size and water concentration, vary across the literature, consequently affecting the macroscopic properties, such as the time and temperature stability, density, viscosity, cold filter plugging point, flash point, boiling point, and vapor pressure. , These properties have a direct impact on the cold start properties, ignition, and secondary atomization characteristics as well as the fuel economy. Therefore, the number, density, and size of the dispersed droplets play a crucial role in the determination of the physicochemical properties as well as the atomization phenomenon .…”

Comparative study on the effect of nanoparticles in ternary fuel blends on combustion, performance, and emissions characteristics of diesel engine

“…The setting used for the ultrasonic emulsifier is 10% cycle, 60% amplitude, and emulsification time for 5 min. 23 The blend temperature was steadily controlled not to surpass 40°C with an infrared thermometer, and an ice bath was used to maintain the temperature within the needed range. Table 3 shows the physicochemical properties of the blends.…”