Study on novel nano mahua methyl ester powered DI diesel engine preheated with a thermoelectric waste heat recovery system

ABSTRACT

This experimental research work aims at analyzing the combined effect of alumina nanofluid and thermo-electric principle on performance, combustion and emission characteristics of preheated novel nano mahua methyl-ester. The experimental test was carried out on single cylinder direct injection diesel engine at the rated speed of 1500 rpm. The 20% trans-esterified mahua biodiesel and different proportions of alumina nanofluid were blended with base diesel fuel, namely M20-D80, M20-D80 + 2 ml of ANF and M20-D80 + 4 ml of ANF on volume fraction. The fuel properties such as density, kinematic viscosity and heating value were measured and compared with BDF as per ASTM standards, and it is preheated before admission to the combustion chamber through biodiesel preheating arrangement. The test engine experiments were initially conducted on base diesel fuel under different loading conditions. Subsequently, experiments were repeated with novel nano mahua methyl ester (mahua biodiesel) blends. Among various fuel blends, a preheated fuel blend of M20-D80 + 2 ml of ANF resulted in improved brake thermal efficiency and lowered brake specific energy consumption as compared with BDF. For engine emission, the M20-D80 + 2 ml of ANF fuel blend resulted in lower hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke levels. However, oxides of nitrogen emission (NO_x) were marginally higher at part load operation. At maximum power output, the in-cylinder pressure (p-θ curve) and heat release rate (HRR) curves were lower equated with BDF.

KEYWORDS:

• Alumina nanofluid
• preheated mahua biodiesel blends
• thermo-electric principle
• trans-esterification process
• biodiesel preheating arrangement

Nomenclature and abbreviations

BDF	=	Base Diesel Fuel
M20-D80	=	Preheated mahua methyl ester 20%+BDF 80%
M20-D80+2 ml of ANF	=	Preheated mahua methyl ester 20%+BDF 80%+2 ml of alumina nanofluid
M20-D80+4 ml of ANF	=	Preheated mahua methyl ester 20%+BDF 80%+4 ml of alumina nanofluid
ASTM	=	American Society for Testing and Materials
ANF	=	Alumina Nano-Fluid
BTE	=	Brake Thermal Efficiency
BSEC	=	Brake Specific Energy Consumption
FSN	=	Filter Smoke Number
NOx	=	Oxides of nitrogen
HC	=	Unburned hydrocarbon
CO	=	Carbon monoxide
HRR	=	Heat Release Rate
CA	=	Crank Angle