Investigation on effect of magnetite nanofluid on performance and emission patterns of methyl esters of bio diesel

Abstract

The objective of this work is to reduce viscosity and other related problems associated with biodiesel by adding non polluting additives. Magnetite is chosen as an additive in this work. Significant reason for using magnetite as an additive is that the magnetic nano particles (magnetite) can be collected from exhaust using magnetic billets in the tail pipe. Performance and emission test is carried out in single cylinder compression ignition engine using base and modified fuel and is compared to diesel. Modified fuel consists of 98.5% base fuel (Rice bran oil methyl ester), 1.3% additives (magnetite) and 0.2% surfactant (tri methyl ammonium hydroxide) by volume. The experimental work confirmed that by adding magnetite to methyl esters of rice bran oil enhances the brake thermal efficiency by 4.27% with 5.17% reduction in SFC. In addition, 10.8%, 9.1% and 8.49% reduction in HC, CO and NOx emissions is observed respectively.

Keywords:

• air-fuel ratio
• delay period
• ignition
• performance

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yuvarajan D

Yuvarajan D received his B.E degree in Mechanical engineering from Anna University, India in 2006 and M.E degree in Energy Engineering from College of Engineering, Anna University, India in 2009. He is currently an assistant professor in Jeppiaar Institute of Technology, India and correspondingly perusing his Ph.D. degree in Anna University, India. His research area includes performance, combustion and emissions characteristics in CI engines and fuel additives.

Venkata Ramanan M

Venkata Ramanan M received his B.E degree in Mechanical engineering from University of Madras, India in 1998 and M. Tech degree in Energy conservation and Management from School of Energy, Tiruchirappalli, India in 2000. He received his Ph.D. in Biomass Gasification at Anna University, India in 2008. He is currently an Assistant Professor (Senior Grade) in Department of Mechanical Engineering, Anna University, India. He is an energy auditor and has consulted many industrial houses for energy conservation studies. His research area includes IC engines, gasification and energy optimization in process utilities. He has published more than 30 international journal papers on his area of research.