Effect of nano-particles concentrations on the energy and exergy efficiency improvement of indirect-injection diesel engine

Restricted resources of fossil fuels together with exhaust-gas emissions dilemma led to looking for the promising solutions to increase the engine's efficiency and decrease the fuel consumption. Substituting the biodiesel instead of diesel oil as well as using additives, have been introduced as reliable solutions to increase the engine efficiency and reduce the emissions. In this experimental work, the various concentrations of cerium oxide nano-particles (i.e. 60 ppm, 90 ppm and 120 ppm) were added to diesel/biodiesel fuel blend and their effects on energy and exergy efficiency are examined on the single cylinder in-direct injection diesel engine. Results revealed that B0W5N60 (diesel containing 5% water and 60 ppm NPs) has 2.5% higher brake thermal efficiency compared to pure diesel. Also, B0W5N90 and B0W5N120 lead to 3.8% and 4.7% improvement in brake thermal efficiency compared to diesel, respectively. By adding the nano-particles into the fuel samples, brake specific fuel consumption is enhanced; Results indicated that brake specific fuel consumption of B0W5N120 and B5W5N90 are 1.05% and 0.42% lower than that of B5W5N60, respectively. Increasing the nano-particles concentration has the increasingly effect on the exergy efficiency for all amounts of biodiesel. For B0 fueling cases, the maximum exergy efficiency of the engine belongs to the B0W5N120 (36.6%) while minimum amount is assigned to the B0W15N60 (31%). (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

The addition of cerium oxide nano-particles to diesel/biodiesel fuel blend can enhance the efficiency and reduce fuel consumption of the engine. Experimental results show that different concentrations of nano-particles lead to significant improvements in brake thermal efficiency and brake specific fuel consumption. Increasing the concentration of nano-particles also has a positive impact on the exergy efficiency of the engine when using biodiesel blends.