Emission analysis on the influence of magnetite nanofluid on methyl ester in diesel engine

• Rice bran methyl ester can be used as a potential alternative fuel for diesel without any modification in diesel engines.
• Magnetic nanoparticles can be collected from the exhaust tail pipe.
• Emissions such as CO, HC & NOx are reduced significantly with addition of magnetic nanoparticles to biodiesel.

Increase in NOx emission is one of the most important drawbacks for using biodiesel as a potential alternative fuel for petroleum diesel. Many studies have been carried out to reduce the NOx emission level in biodiesel. The present work is the result of an attempt wherein ferrofluid is added with rice bran oil methyl ester in the way of analyzing its effects on emission features. Magnetite concentrate is exothermic and is known for its characteristics of releasing copious heat at higher temperatures. Nanofluid using magnetite is synthesized by reacting Iron II (FeCl2) and Iron III (FeCl3) in an aqueous ammonia solution to form Magnetite Fe3O4 (Ferro fluid). Release of heat by magnetite during the combustion process counterbalance the conventional limitations related with biodiesel such as increased delay period, inferior combustion rate and higher NOx emissions etc. Experiments have been conducted with Rice Bran Oil Methyl Ester (RBOME) and Rice Bran Oil Methyl Ester with addition of Ferrofluid (RBOMEF) and are compared with petroleum diesel. Rice Bran Oil Methyl Ester with addition of Ferrofluid has been prepared comprising 98.7% biodiesel (Rice bran oil methyl ester), 1% magnetite based ferrofluid and 0.3% surfactant by volume is used in a CI engine. The experimental analysis reveals a decrease in HC, CO and NOx emissions of 19 ppm, 0.011% volume and 93 ppm respectively.