Effect of diethyl ether and Al2O3 nano additives in diesel-biodiesel-ethanol blends: Performance, combustion and emission characteristics

The present experimental work is focused on improving the performance and emission characteristics of biofuel blend (diesel (40 %)-biodiesel (40 %)-ethanol (20 %)) (denoted as BE). Comparative analysis was done for addition of Diethyl ether (DEE) and alumina nanoparticle (Al2O3) at various concentrations. The test fuels used are BE, BE with 25 ppm Al2O3 (denoted as BN-1), BE with 50 ppm Al2O3 (denoted as BN-2), BE with 5 % DEE (denoted as BE-1) and BE with 10 % DEE (denoted as BE-2). Experimental results indicate that, DEE addition in BE results in increased HC (Hydrocarbon), CO (Carbon monoxide), CO2 (Carbon dioxide) and BSFC (Brake specific fuel consumption) with lowered NOx (Oxides of nitrogen) and smoke emission. This is attributed to high latent heat evaporation of mixture and Low temperature combustion (LTC). Al(2)O(3)addition in BE resulted in increase in NOx and smoke with lowered HC, CO, CO2 and BSFC. This could be attributed to enhanced surface area to volume ratio of mixture during rapid combustion process, higher catalytic combustion and reduced evaporation. At higher engine loads, the peak pressure of BE-1 is highest and that of BE-2 is lowest. Peak heat release rate of BE is highest and BN-1 is lowest. BE blends with additives (Al2O3 and DEE) resulted in higher Particulate matter (PM) formation, however BN-1 blend showed lowered PM at engine loads of 75 % and 100 %. Overall, BE-1 and BN-1 reflects better engine performance, combustion and emission characteristics.