The empirical correlation between the parameters influencing the performance and emissions of CI engine run by aqueous nanofluid fuel blends using response surface methodology

Abstract

Experimental research has been conducted to study the influence of aqueous nanofluids such as aqueous zinc oxide nanofluid (ZN), aqueous aluminium oxide nanofluid (AN), aqueous cerium oxide nanofluid (CN) on performance and the emission behavior of a compression-ignition engine powered by blends of nanofluids. In this research, the dosage levels of aqueous nanofluid vary with diesel. For each nanofluid, four dosage levels, namely 3%, 4%, 5%, and 6% by weight, are identified and twelve blends are prepared. The effects of aqueous nanofluids on various chemical and physical properties of diesel are studied. Load tests on the engine with blends and diesel are carried out. The combustion characteristics, performance, and exhaust emissions of the blends are studied and compared to pure diesel. The results obtained indicate that the blends with 5% of CN, 5% of AN, and 5% of ZN showed better results among their other blends and the blend with 5% of CN showed the best performances compared to all blends and diesel. Compared to diesel, the 5% CN blend produced 6.28% more brake thermal efficiency and a reduction of 36.36% in hydrocarbons, 17.24% in carbon monoxide, 18.75% in nitrogen oxides and 30% in smoke emissions at maximum rated load.

Keywords:

• Aqueous zinc oxide nanofluid
• aqueous aluminium oxide nanofluid
• aqueous cerium oxide nanofluid
• diesel engine
• performance
• emissions
• response surface methodology

Acknowledgment

The authors wish to express their sincere thanks to the Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai for carrying out this research in their engine test laboratory.