Effect of aluminium oxide hydroxide Nano fluid in castor oil biodiesel fuelled diesel engine

Abstract

This investigation deals with understanding the effect of adding Aluminium oxide hydroxide nanoparticles along with water with a motive to improve the operational characteristics of a CI engine. Castor biodiesel was prepared using methanol in transesterification process and nanoparticles were available. X-ray diffraction studies were carried out to understand the particle size, structure and its morphology. Three different levels of concentration such as 50, 100 and 200 ppm were preferred to blend in emulsified biodiesel. 20% blend of Castor biodiesel was chosen and 5%, 10% water for emulsion were used. 1% of Span 80 and Tween 80 surfactants each helps in obtaining stable mixture of the fuels. The performance, combustion, and emission characteristics were studied for a CI engine. Performance parameters and emission values reveal that the thermal efficiency is slightly lower than neat diesel. NOx emissions for castor biodiesel B20 were 10% higher than neat diesel. Nanoparticles enabled better air fuel mixing and 18.6% reduction in NOx was obtained by using 200 ppm nanoparticles.