Performance and emission testing of methyl ester of aloe vera using metal oxide as additive in CI engine

Abstract

This experimental research evaluate the performance and emission characteristics of a single cylinder 4 – stroke multi-fuel VCR engine, we obtained gel from the aloe vera as the raw material for biodiesel production in the transesterification process. We blended the obtained biodiesel in various ratios with the diesel and it was named B10, B20, and B30. The properties of the biodiesel were tested before it was used as a fuel. The performance and emission testing were done in a single cylinder 4 – stroke multi-fuel VCR engine with an eddy current dynamometer. The biodiesel played a major role in reducing hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. But it resulted in certain disadvantages of using aloe vera biodiesel in CI engines i.e., it emits more nitrous oxide than diesel and also it has more fuel consumption. To eliminate these drawbacks, aluminum oxide (Al2O3) was used as a nano additive. Based on the performance and emission results obtained, we chose the best blend using a design optimization software called "design expert". The performance and emission results were used in the software which will offer comparative tests, screening, and optimization to choose the best biodiesel blend. B20 was chosen as the best blend and aluminum oxide nano additive was used in two percentages as 50 ppm and 100 ppm with the B20 blend. These nanoparticles added to the biodiesel reduced the ignition delay during the combustion process which resulted in improved thermal efficiency, brake specific fuel consumption and reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions to meet the objectives of this research.