Influence of an oxygenated additive on emission of an engine fueled with neat biodiesel

Biodiesel obtained from mustard seed is found to be a promising alternative for petroleum diesel fuel owing to its similarity in physical and chemical properties. In this work, TiO2 nano-fluid which acts as an oxygen buffer during combustion was added to mustard oil biodiesel (MOBD) to study its effect on emission characteristics of MOBD. TiO2 nano-fluid can provide high surface energy during the course of combustion and reduces the limitations of neat biodiesel. A four-stroke, multi-cylinder, water-cooled, diesel engine was used in the experiments and was fueled with diesel, neat MOBD and MOBD with TiO2 nanoparticles at 100 ppm (MOBDT100), 200 ppm (MOBDT200) and 300 ppm (MOBDT300). Experimental results revealed that the TiO2 nanoparticles had positive effect on the emission characteristics of MOBD as it acted as an oxidation buffer. MOBDT300 showed a reduction in HC, CO and smoke emissions as compared to pure MOBD. In addition, NO (x) emissions were also reduced by the catalytic activity of the TiO2 nanoparticles which reduce the peak combustion temperature. Therefore, TiO2 nano-fluid had a positive effect on reducing the emissions associated with neat biodiesel.