Experimental studies on ethanol solubility and nanoparticle (NP) stability in diesel fuel

The main objective of the study was to prepare the most soluble and stable diesel-ethanol-nanoparticle blend for CI engine and investigate the influence of different mixing parameters on ethanol's solubility in diesel and the nanoparticle stability in diesel -ethanol blends. Total 22 DE10, and DE15 samples were prepared, using various stirring speeds (1500-2000, 2500-4000 rpm) and times (30, 60, 120, 180, 240, 360 min), ultra-sonication times (15, 30, 60, 90, 120 min) with and without surfactants (SPAN 80, TWEEN 80). The result revealed that ultrasonication, stirring speed and time influenced the ethanol solubility in diesel fuel and ethanol solubility was better with DE10 blend (Sample G) prepared using low ultrasonication (15 min) and high stirring time (min. 60 min) and speed (min. 2500-4000 rpm) without surfactant. Increase in ultrasonication time (> 15 min) resulted in negligible effect on solubility. The effect of ultrasonication, surfactant and dispersion approach on the stability of Al2O3 and ZnO nanoparticles in sample G was also studied. Stability of ZnO nanoparticles was much higher than the Al2O3 nanoparticles at same ultrasonication time (120 min) and surfactant proportion (0.5 %). It displayed lower agglomeration, and 50 %, 33 %, and 52 % reduction in sedimentation index, height and weight, respectively, compared to Al2O3 nanoparticle.(c) 2022 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study aimed to prepare a highly soluble and stable diesel-ethanol-nanoparticle blend for CI engine and investigate the effects of different mixing parameters on ethanol solubility in diesel and nanoparticle stability in diesel-ethanol blends.