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Evaluation of water emulsion in biodiesel for engine performance and emission characteristics

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Abstract

The present experiment was conducted by executing detailed tests on performance, combustion, and emission characteristics to prove that the Nerium biodiesel emulsified fuel can be an eco-friendly fuel. The emulsified biodiesel was formed by mixing with a small proportion of water in the limits of 5%, 10%, and 15% by volume. This study also assessed the stability of different emulsified blends. The properties were tested according to ASTM requirements. The blend of 60% diesel, 20% biodiesel, 15% water, and 5% surfactant showed the higher brake thermal efficiency and in-cylinder pressure by 13.72% and 12.6%, respectively, when related to base fuel. Also, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, opacity of smoke and hydrocarbon emission of the above blend decreased by 42.87%, 6.5%, 12.96%, and 31.94%, respectively, when related to base fuel. This can be attributed due to the micro-explosion and availability of the oxygen content in the fuel. The results noticed a significant improvement and advantage of using the eco-friendly emulsified fuel in traditional engines without any modifications. Micro-explosion during combustion stage guaranteed a reduction in emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx).

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Abbreviations

HLB:

Hydrophilic–lipophilic balance

ID:

Ignition delay

EB1:

70% diesel + 20% biodiesel + 5% water + 5% surfactant

EB2:

65% diesel + 20% biodiesel + 10% water + 5% surfactant

EB3:

60% diesel + 20% biodiesel + 15% water + 5% surfactant

ADC:

Analog-to-digital convertor

BTE:

Brake thermal efficiency

CO:

Carbon monoxide

CO2 :

Carbon dioxide

NOx :

Oxides of nitrogen

DI:

Direct ignition

HRR:

Heat release rate

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Author notes

  1. P.V. Elumalai, M. Parthasarathy have equally contributed.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aditya Engineering College, Surampalem, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, 533437, India

    P. V. Elumalai

  2. Department of Automobile Engineering, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Avadi, India

    M. Parthasarathy

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dhanalakshmi College of Engineering, Tambaram, India

    V. Hariharan & J. Jayakar

  4. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Avadi, India

    S. Mohammed Iqbal

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  1. P. V. Elumalai
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Elumalai, P.V., Parthasarathy, M., Hariharan, V. et al. Evaluation of water emulsion in biodiesel for engine performance and emission characteristics. J Therm Anal Calorim 147, 4285–4301 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-021-10825-z

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