The effect of cerium oxide additive on the performance and emission characteristics of a CI engine operated with rice bran biodiesel and its blends

ABSTRACT

In this study, the rice bran oil (RBO) has been converted into methyl ester with an aid of transesterification reaction. Chemically, transesterification means conversion of triglyceride molecule or a complex fatty acid into alcohol and ester by removing the glycerin and neutralizing the free fatty acids. The B20 blend samples [80% diesel + 20% biodiesel] were prepared for each methyl ester obtained from RBO and then the cerium oxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles were added to the each B20 blend samples at a dosage of 50 ppm and 100 ppm with an aid of ultrasonicator. Moreover, in the absence of any engine modifications, the performance and emission characteristics of those blend samples have been investigated from the experimentally measured values such as density, viscosity, cloud point, pour point, and calorific value while the engine performance was also analyzed through the parameters like exhaust gas temperature (EGT), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), exhaust emission of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), and nitrogen oxide (NOx). The experimental results reveal that the use of CeO₂ blended biodiesel in diesel engine has exhibited good improvement in performance characteristic and reduction in exhaust emissions.

KEYWORDS:

• Transesterification
• rice bran oil methyl ester
• CeO₂ nano particle
• ultrasonicator
• performance
• emission

Nomenclature

NOx	=	oxides of nitrogen
CO2	=	carbon dioxide
CO	=	carbon monoxide
HC	=	hydrocarbon
NaOH	=	sodium hydroxide
CI	=	compression ignition
BSFC	=	brake specific fuel consumption
EGT	=	exhaust gas temperature
BTE	=	brake thermal efficiency
FTIR	=	Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy