Influence of Rice Husk Nanoparticles on Engine Performance and Emission Characteristics of Diesel and Neem Oil Biodiesel Blends in a Single Cylinder Diesel Engine

ABSTRACT

Nanofuel refers to the fuel that contains nanoparticles at very low concentrations. The addition of metallic nanoparticles had proven their effectiveness in improving the engine performance and reducing emissions of diesel/biodiesel blends fueled engines. However, the emission of these metallic nanoparticles themselves through exhaust gases to the atmosphere may cause adverse health hazards. The addition of organic nanoparticles on biodiesel is relatively a new concept, which has the potential of overcoming the toxic effects of metallic nanoparticles while imparting the benefits of using nanoparticles. In this research work, the effects of rice husk nanoparticles on engine performance and emission characteristics of diesel and neem oil biodiesel were investigated. Three base fuels (diesel, B10, and B20) and three nanoparticles added fuels (diesel+NP, B10+ NP, and B20+ NP) were prepared. Engine test was carried out in a 3.5 kW single-cylinder diesel engine. BTE, BSFC, and emissions of CO, HC, and NOx were determined for five different brake powers (no-load, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%). From the results, it was observed that the addition of rice husk nanoparticles increased BTE, reduced BSFC and reduced the emissions of CO, HC, and NOx, as compared to the corresponding base fuels. Therefore, the use of rice husk nanoparticles could be an efficient way of improving the engine performance and emission characteristics with diesel as well as biodiesel blends.

KEYWORDS:

• Nanofuel
• nanoparticles
• biodiesel
• rice husk
• engine performance
• emissions

Additional information

Notes on contributors

S. Sivasaravanan

S. Sivasaravanan, born in Chennai, completed Ph.D in Nano Composite 2018. He also holds degree in Master of Business Administration. He is working as Associate Professor in Department of Mechanical & Production Engg., Sathyabama University, Chennai. He has got 15 years of teaching experience. He has 11 International and 3 National Publications. He is specialized in Nano composites. He got his Ph.D and Master of Engineering degree from Sathyabama University, Chennai and Master of Business Administration from Madurai Kamarajar University and Bachelor degree from Mohammed Sathak Engineering College, Keelakarai, Ramanathapuram, Tamilnadu.

P. Booma Devi

P. Booma Devi is currently working as Associate Professor in the department of Aeronautical Engineering, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, India. She is guiding many Ph.D Scholars in the field of Aeronautical Engineering. She has has wide knowledge and experience in aerodynamics, low and high speed flows, turbulent shear flows, its modeling and optimization using various tools and software packages like  CFD, MATLAB etc. Her contributions are witnessed by her publications counting more than 15, in various referred journals and conference proceedings.

M. Nagaraj

M. Nagaraj is working as Assistant Professor in the department of mechanical engineering, MNM Jain Engineering College, Chennai. He has teaching and research experience of more than 10 years. His research area includes engine emission reduction, techniques and alternate fuels.

J. Jeya Jeevahan

J. Jeya Jeevahan has completed his Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Noorul Islam College of Engineering, Kanyakumari, in 2005, and Master of Engineering in CAD/CAM from Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Chennai, in 2012. He is currently working as Assistant Professor at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai. He is an active researcher in biofuels, edible films, coatings, and nanomaterials and their applications, and has published more than 35 international peer-reviewed journal articles.

G. Britto Joseph

G. Britto Josephhas done his M.E. from Government of Technology Coimbatore. He is an Assistant Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering, at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai. His research interests are in welding, composites, thermal and manufacturing. He has published in international journals such as International journal of ambient energy, chemical engineering communications, journal of coatings technology and research and FME transactions.