Water-in-diesel fuel nanoemulsions prepared by high energy: Emulsion drop size and stability, and emission characteristics

Abstract

Water-in-diesel fuel nanoemulsions were prepared with mixed nonionic surfactants. The high energy emulsification method was used to form three emulsions containing different water contents: 5, 10 and 14% (v/v). These nanoemulsions were stabilized with a mixture of 20% sorbitan monooleate, and 80% polyethoxylated (20 EO) sorbitan trioleate, resulting in an HLB of 10 (HLB - hydrophilic-lipophilic balance). The effect of water on the droplet size, emulsion calorific value, and emission gases such as nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide emissions and exhaust gas temperatures in diesel engines has been studied. It was found that the mean sizes of the droplets formed (between 19.3 and 39 nm) depend on the water content and the concentration of the blend emulsifiers. © AOCS 2011.