Effects of process parameters on performance and emissions of a water-emulsified diesel-fueled compression ignition engine

ABSTRACT

Out of various strategies to extenuate the diesel engine emissions, use of water-blended diesel fuel in emulsified form is found to be a prominent option. The studies carried out by various researchers give quite inconsistent results for optimum water concentration, surfactant concentration, and HLB value. An effort has been made in this paper to analyze this inconsistency of water concentration and surfactant for engine emissions and performance along with the effect of compression ratio. The work has been carried out on a non-road, constant rpm, VCR (variable compression ratio) diesel engine. Different emulsions of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% water-in-diesel with 3% emulsifier concentration were tested on the diesel-optimized engine at CR 21. The results showed that emulsion of 15% water-in-diesel is optimal on the basis of emissions and performance. Further, the selected 15% emulsion is tested with 4% emulsifier concentration. It improved the stability of emulsion and performance of the engine with slight adverse effects on the NOx emissions. Then, emulsion with 4% surfactant and 15% water is tested to determine optimum compression ratio for emulsified fuels. CR 20 is found in optimum. Remarkably 9.28% improvement in BTE is observed reaching up to 23.89% as compared to 21.86% with bare diesel. 25.1% reduction in NOx and more than 50% reduction in smoke is observed. Overall, it is concluded that the water-blended diesel emulsion could serve as a fuel-efficient cleaner combustion technology and needs to be standardized.

Abbreviations HLB: Hydrophile–Lipophile Balance; C_v: Calorific Value; W/D: Water in Diesel; PM: Particulate matter; RPM: Rotation per minute; HC: Hydrocarbon; CR: Compression Ratio; EGT: Exhaust Gas Temperature; BTE: Brake Thermal Efficiency; NO_x: Oxides of Nitrogen; BSFC: Brake specific fuel consumption

KEYWORDS:

• Diesel
• water
• emissions
• compression ratio
• emulsion
• surfactant

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Amit Jhalani

Amit Jhalani is a research scholar at Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur (MNIT Jaipur). His area of specialization is  renewable energy and alternative fuels for IC Engines. He has done his M.Tech from MNIT Jaipur in the year 2014 and was graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Rajasthan University, Jaipur.  He has published 7 papers in International Journals, presented 08 papers in National and International Conferences  and has published 01 book.

Dilip Sharma

Dilip Sharma is a PhD from MNIT Jaipur and post graduation in Thermal Engineering from IIT Roorkee. He was awarded with University Medal for securing highest marks in Post Graduation. Prof. Sharma joined as a faculty in Mechanical Engineering (1992) at MREC, which is now known as MNIT Jaipur. He has published more than 40 papers in National and International Journals and presented 68 papers in National and International Conferences. He has filed 7 patents in the field of IC engines and Alternate fuels and has published 10 books. Dr. Sharma has completed 6 major R&D projects . He has done more than 30 consultancy projects.

Shyam Lal Soni

Shyam Lal Soni  is having an experience of 37+ years in teaching, research and administration. Presently serving as the Director NIT Uttarkhand, earlier he was a professor at MNIT Jaipur. He has published more than 80 research papers in international journals and conferences & 28 papers in national journals and conferences. He has  supervised17 Ph.D. scholars.

Pushpendra Kumar Sharma

Pushpendra Kumar Sharma is a research scholar in the department of Mechanical Engineering, MNIT Jaipur. He is working over cleaner fuels for IC Engines. He has published 08 research papers in international journals and conferences. He is a graduate in Mechanical engineering from the University of Rajasthan Jaipur.