Influence of aluminum oxide nanoparticles addition with diesel fuel on emissions and performance of engine generator set using response surface methodology

•Engine performance and emissions characteristics were optimized using RSM.•Nano diesel based on small sized Al2O3 revealed a positive technical and environmental perceptive.•The inclusion of low concentration of Al2O3 nanoparticles significantly reduced the NOX emissions.•The HC and CO were mitigated with using nanoparticles-based diesel. The present study investigates the effect of small-sized aluminum oxide nanoparticle concentration and engine load on the emissions and performance parameters of a single-cylinder diesel engine connected to an AC generator. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) was employed to simulate the design of the experiment. The ultrasonication-assisted preparation method has been used to mix the diesel (D) with two different concentrations of aluminum oxide, namely 50 ppm and 100 ppm. The tested fuels are called D, (D + 50AL2O3), and (D + 100AL2O3) accordingly. The tests were carried out at various engine loads of 0.9, 1.8, and 2.7 kW at a rated speed of 3000 rpm without engine modification. The evaluated characteristics were nitrogen oxide (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), and exhaust gas temperature (EGT). According to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) results, the experimental outputs were found to be in good agreement with that of the predicted. Furthermore, the results revealed that the tested fuel D + 50Al2O3 favorably reduced the harmful emissions at all loads investigated. For instance, NOx, HC, and CO emissions decreased by 32.28%, 21.74%, and 20%, respectively. In addition, the BTE improved by 4.91% at 2.7 kW compared to pure diesel. The aforementioned potential results revealed that aluminum oxide nanoparticles could effectively reduce emissions parameters and enhance engine performance. Furthermore, the small nanoparticle size of 11 nm and low concentration of only 50 ppm (mixed with diesel) revealed positive technical, environmental, and economic perspectives on the applicability of the proposed nanofuel.