The use of ELM-WT (extreme learning machine with wavelet transform algorithm) to predict exergetic performance of a DI diesel engine running on diesel/biodiesel blends containing polymer waste

•Exergetic modeling of an engine working with diesel/biodiesel blends containing EPS.•Comparison of ELM-WT, ELM, GP, and ANN models for exergetic modeling of the engine.•Successful modeling of the performance of the engine using the ELM-WT approach.•Potential application of the ELM-WT for achieving a sustainable combustion process.

In this study, a novel method based on Extreme Learning Machine with wavelet transform algorithm (ELM-WT) was designed and adapted to estimate the exergetic performance of a DI diesel engine. The exergetic information was obtained by calculating mass, energy, and exergy balance equations for the experimental trials conducted at various engine speeds and loads as well as different biodiesel and expanded polystyrene contents. Furthermore, estimation capability of the ELM-WT model was compared with that of the ELM, GP (genetic programming) and ANN (artificial neural network) models. The experimental results showed that an improvement in the exergetic performance modelling of the DI diesel engine could be achieved by the ELM-WT approach in comparison with the ELM, GP, and ANN methods. Furthermore, the results showed that the applied algorithm could learn thousands of times faster than the conventional popular learning algorithms. Obviously, the developed ELM-WT model could be used with a high degree of confidence for further work on formulating novel model predictive strategy for investigating exergetic performance of DI diesel engines running on various renewable and non-renewable fuels.