Effects of nanoparticle additive in the water-diesel emulsion fuel on the performance, emission and combustion characteristics of a diesel engine

The performance, emission and the combustion characteristics of a diesel engine using water-diesel emulsion and alumina nanoparticles blended water-diesel emulsion fuels are investigated experimentally. The experiments are conducted in an experimental set-up consisting of a single cylinder CI engine, and a data-acquisition system comprising a Kistler piezoelectric pressure sensor and a crank angle encoder. The whole investigation is carried out in three parts; using neat diesel in the first part, neat water-diesel emulsion fuel in the second part and alumina nanoparticles blended water-diesel emulsion fuels in the third part. The alumina nanoparticles are blended with water-diesel emulsion fuels in varying mass fractions systematically. The results revealed a significant improvement in the engine performance and reduced harmful pollutants for the alumina nanoparticles blended emulsion fuels compared to that of neat water-diesel emulsion fuel.