Investigation of the effect for a higher biodiesel blend and titanium dioxide nanoadditive on the performance parameters of CI engine

In this study, the performance parameters, emission, and combustion characteristics of a diesel powered engine are investigated to evaluate the effects of Titanium dioxide nanoparticles as nanoadditive in B30 blend of Pongamia Pinnata biodiesel. Nanoadditives were added to a B30 blend of biodiesel in concentrations of 25mg/L, 50mg/L, 75mg/L, and 100 mg/L. After sonication using probe sonicator the samples were tested in a Computerised CI engine test rig. An attempt is made to compare the results obtained from these blends with the results of the B20 blend. The results indicated that the use of nanoadditives in fuel lowers the smoke opacity up to 13.24%, lowers brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) up to 7.4% for B30T75 compared to B30. The measured emission of NOx for B30T75 was found to be 2.91% greater than that of the B30 at maximum load condition. Unburnt hydrocarbon emissions reduced by 14.44% for B30T75 compared to B30 at maximum load. From the combustion analysis, it was found that the heat release rate was 5.4% higher for B30T75 nanofuel sample compared to that of B30 fuel sample. From the results, it can be concluded that B30T75 nanofuel sample has optimum increment in the overal engine performence and emissions among the fuel sample tested.