Assessing the impact of sargassum algae biodiesel blends on energy conversion in a modified single-cylinder diesel engine with a silica-incorporated diamond-like coated piston

ABSTRACT

As coal and oil reserves deplete, the world is shifting to alternative fuels and renewable energy. Researchers are exploring a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels for powering automobiles. In this investigation, biodiesel was synthesized from brown marine algae (Sargassum algae) using transesterification process. Silica-incorporated diamond-like coating (DLC) was done on the engine piston by using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process with flow rate of 7sccm of C₂H₂. Three different coating thicknesses, such as 50,100, and 150 µm, were employed on the CI engine piston. Mechanical properties such as hardness, wear, and microstructure analysis were investigated. Analysis of mechanical characteristics reveals that pistons with a 100 μm coating have enhanced characteristics compared to those with other pistons. Using a 100 μm silicon coated piston on a single-cylinder Kirloskar engine, four blends (B10, B20, B30, and B40) were compared to neat diesel. At maximum engine load conditions, the B40 blends produced 42 ppm of HC whereas neat diesel with 19 ppm which is 57% higher than diesel and CO emission concentration increased by 4.9% than diesel. Similarly, brake-specific fuel consumption was observed at maximum load conditions for diesel with 0.18 kg/kWh and 0.20 kg/kWh for B10D90 which is 9.54% higher than diesel. As a result, it is critical to recognize the importance of sargassum’s potential for producing sustainable energy toward green globalization.

KEYWORDS:

• Sargassum algae
• Si-DL coated piston
• emissions
• diesel engine
• combustion

Abbreviations

ASTM	=	American Society for Testing and Materials
bTDC	=	before top dead center, CA
BSEC	=	brake-specific energy consumption, kJ/kWh
BTE	=	brake thermal efficiency, %
CA	=	crank angle, °
C2H2	=	Acetylene
CVD	=	Chemical Vapour Deposition
CO	=	carbon monoxide, % vol.
HC	=	hydrocarbons, ppm
NOx	=	nitrogen oxides, ppm
SEM	=	Scanning electron microscope
H2	=	Hydrogen
SOBD	=	Scenedesmus obliquus Bio Diesel
Si-DLC	=	Silica Diamond like coating
H	=	Hardness
E	=	Youngs Modulus
µm	=	Micron meter
nm	=	Nano meter

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authors contributions

J. Kamalakannan: Design of experiments, experimentation, and analysis of data.

V. Sakthi Murugan: Writing of the manuscript and investigation.

S. Madhu: Curated data from the study and prepared the figures.

V. Edwin Geo: Validation of data, review of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported that there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Kamalakannan Jayaraman

Dr. Kamalakannan Jayaraman, is currently holds a position in Associate professor of Mechanical Engineering at Sri Sai Ram Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India. Dr. Kamalakannan Jayaraman completed Ph.D Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University, Chennai, India with Alternative fuels in Internal Combustion Engines.

Sakthimurugan Veeraraghavan

Dr. Sakthimurugan Veeraraghavan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Automobile Engineering, at Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India, is working in the field of biofuels, hydrogen, and acetylene fuel in CI engine applications.

Madhu Sundaram

Dr. Madhu Sundaram is currently working as a Professor in Automobile Engineering, at Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India. He has published more than 100 research articles in reputed journals. He is working in the field of Biocomposite, Polymer composite materials, and energy storage materials.

Edwin Geo Varuvel

Dr. Edwin Geo Varuvel is an active researcher and highly experienced academician, currently working as Professor in Mechanical Engineering, at Istinye University, Turkiye. Boasting 20+ years of research experience, he is well-known for his notable contribution to the clean and renewable energy systems for automobiles. He has published more than 150 research articles in highly reputed journals and keep uplifting his research career in the field of green carbon economy for sustainable future.