Experimental investigation into effects of addition of zinc oxide on performance, combustion and emission characteristics of diesel-biodiesel-ethanol blends in CI engine

This study is to investigate the effect of zinc oxide nano particle addition to diesel-biodiesel-ethanol blends. Solubility tests were done for the fuels at three different temperatures. Out of eighteen blends, six blends were stable at 5 °C, 15 °C and above 25 °C. Out of the six blends, two blends were checked for properties as per ASTM standards. One of them was chosen for testing the performance, combustion and emission characteristics in a diesel engine. In the same blend, zinc oxide was added in the amount of 250 ppm. Property testing of the blended fuel indicated that there was an increase in calorific value due to addition of nano particle. The performance tests were conducted on a single cylinder four stroke direct injection diesel engine at a constant speed of 1500 rpm. For the blend containing zinc oxide, there was an increase in BSFC, HRR and cylinder pressure. Also, there was a decrease in BTE, NOx and smoke, as compared to diesel. The addition of zinc oxide nano particles increased the BTE and decreased the BSFC as compared with the biodiesel diesel ethanol blend at full load. This study gives a direction to utilize the renewable fuel to reduce the consumption of fossil fuel.