Performance and emission characteristics of a DI diesel engine with a nanofuel additive

The emission norms on internal combustion engine are becoming more and more stringent with a view to improve the ambient air quality. Emissions of Particulate Matter and Oxides of Nitrogen are the focus of today's diesel emission control technologies. Nanometal oxide additives are reported to be effective in lowering diesel emissions. The diesel fuel formulation along with engine development can achieve clean combustion of the diesel fuel. The study is based on the effect of nanometal oxide additives like manganese oxide and copper oxide to diesel fuel. Sol-gel method was adopted for preparation for nanometal oxide additives. Metal oxide additive are doped with diesel fuel. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images confirmed the presence of nanoparticle in the metal oxide additive. The changes in diesel fuel properties (viscosity, flash point and fire point) due to introduction of nanometal oxide additive were observed. The diesel fuel with nanometal oxide additive presented a marginal increase in performance. Exhaust emissions for the diesel fuel with nanometal oxide additive showed significant decrease in levels of pollutants emission.