Influence of adding aluminum oxide nanoparticles to diesterol blends on the combustion and exhaust emission characteristics of a diesel engine

In the current article, the effects of adding aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles into Diesterol blended fuel (70% diesel + 20% ethanol + 10% Jojoba biodiesel) on the performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a diesel engine were experimentally investigated. The diesel fuel and ethanol are immiscible; therefore, jojoba methyl ester was used as a mediator solvent to alleviate the phase deposition. The Al2O3 nanoparticles were added at different dose levels of 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/l of Diesterol using an ultrasonic technique. These blends were examined under various engine loads and a constant engine speed of 1500 rpm. The Diesterol blended fuel showed an acceptable homogeneity to be tested on the diesel engine. The consequences exhibited that adding Al2O3 nanoparticles in Diesterol enhanced the engine performance, combustion, and emission characteristics compared to those of pure Diesterol. The maximum enhancement was achieved at a dose level of 75 mg/l, where the reduction in the brake specific fuel consumption (bsfc) was approximately 20%, while the increase in the peak cylinder pressure was approximately 1.5%. Additionally, the maximum reduction in UHC and NOx emission was obtained at a dose level of 25 mg/l, while the concentration of 100 mg/l gave the lowest CO emission. The outcomes revealed that the dose level of 75 mg/l had the optimum improvement in the overall characteristics of engine performance and emissions.