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•A novel approach of cow-urine (gomutra) emulsification in diesel is explored.•15% Cow-urine emulsification in diesel was found optimum.•Significant 13.2% improvement in brake thermal ...efficiency was observed.•Water and urea content of the GMD emulsion resulted in reduced exhaust emissions.•NOx and smoke emissions got reduced up to 31.8% and 36.9% respectively.
Apart from the various emission reduction strategies, a novel concept of cow-urine emulsification in diesel has been explored in this study. In India, cow urine is easily and readily available as gomutra distillate. It constitutes of around 95% water and exhibits the benefits of water emulsification to improve the brake thermal efficiency. Additionally, it consists of urea which works as a reducing agent and significantly cuts-down the NOx emissions. Sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium present in the cow-urine are also expected to enhance the fuel properties as found in various other researches. Emulsions containing 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% (v/v) cow-urine were tested on a stationary C.I. engine. The 15% emulsion was found to be optimum with a remarkable increase in BTE reaching up to 24.8% as compared to 21.9% with base diesel. In emissions, NOx and smoke got reduced by maximum up to 31.8% and 36.9% respectively. At lower loads, the CO emissions were found to be increased but at higher loads, it was also decreased. No significant variation in HC emissions was observed. Overall, cow-urine emulsified diesel fuel was found to be an energy-efficient and cleaner alternative fuel for stationary C.I. engine application.
Summary
Central to the discussion on sustainable alternative fuels for diesel engines is a growing interest in oxygenated fuels such as blends of biodiesel and alcohols with high carbon content (high ...alcohols). Available literature is incomplete in assessment of this kind of fuel blend and its influence on quantity and type of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) content. PAH is a health hazard and is detrimental to engine components (wetstacking); effort should focus on its reduction. Impact assessment of fuels usually focuses on the engine's regulated emissions profiles. However, additional emphasis should be given to levels and characteristics of PAH produced (during combustion). In this current work, regulated and unregulated emissions of a diesel engine operating with a biodiesel‐propanol‐blend fuel (5%, 20% and 35% by volume of propanol) are presented and compared. Sample fuels were examined using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Results indicate a reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and PAH levels including PAH‐equivalent toxicity, and an increase in hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide(CO), break specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and exhaust gases temperature (EGT), for the fuel blend compared to baseline diesel. While the results showed that adding up to 20% propanol to biodiesel further reduced PAHs, more than 20% propanol addition to biodiesel appeared to show a recurrence of increasing levels of PAHs and toxicity. With the addition of propanol to biodiesel, a significant reduction of 30.60%, 90.24% and 56.68% in total PAH emissions was obtained for 5%, 20% and 35% blends, and PAH‐equivalent toxicity significantly decreased by 64.65%, 92.77% and 79.37%, respectively. This indicates the significant effect of combustion performance due to blended fuel properties on the formation of PAHs. In addition, it was evident that a link exists between PAH‐formation and aromatic‐content of the base fuel, as diesel generated more PAHs than biodiesel blends. Overall, biodiesel‐propanol blends show potential in significantly cutting‐down levels of carcinogenic pollutants including wetstacking effects in diesel engines running at low load or cold temperature operating conditions.
Biodiesel‐propanol blends, which are free of aromatic contents, were examined in detail for regulated and unregulated emissions (PAHs). Biodiesel‐propanol blends significantly reduced NOx emissions, the total PAHs and toxicity, and were highly effective for reduction of carcinogenic pollutants and elimination of potential wetstacking in diesel engines. BPro20 (80% biodiesel‐20% propanol) resulted in the highest reduction of PAHs and toxicity.
For a few decades now fast depleting fossil fuels has been a major challenge. Fast expanding population and increased rate of urbanization has increased energy demand. This makes the current scenario ...worse. Fossil fuels' emissions are another challenge. Apart from fossil fuel emissions, the untreated disposal of waste cooking oil presents another environment’s sustainability challenge. The treatment of waste cooking oil as fuel presents a tangible solution to challenge. In this research article, impact of the engine speed and the concentration of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) in diesel-biodiesel blended fuels on the engine’s performance. The emission characteristics of a single-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine has also been examined. TiO2 NPs were produced by a sol-gel methodology. The diesel-biodiesel combination was fortified with TiO2 NPs at 40, 80 and 120 ppm. These mixtures were used to power the diesel engine, which was then run at 1150, 1400, 1650, 1900 and 2150 RPM. Interaction between engine speeds and nanoparticle concentrations and investigation of their combined effect on engine performance and emissions was done using response surface methodology. The minimum BSFC of 0.33994 kg/kWh and maximum BTE of 25.90% were found for B30 + 120 ppm biodiesel blend at 2150 rpm as compared to all other tested fuels. The emissions including CO and HC emissions were recorded as 25.61486 kg/kWh and 0.05289kg/kWh respectively at 2150 rpm for B30 + 120 ppm biodiesel blend while NOx on the contrary side exhibits a slight escalation with increasing engine speed and nanoparticles concentration. The findings of the experiments demonstrated that adding TiO2 nanoparticles to diesel–biodiesel blends is an effective way to enhance the performance of diesel engines while simultaneously reducing the emissions. It was also discovered that the mathematical model that was built can efficiently estimate the performance of the engine and the emission levels.
•Synthesis of TiO2 by a sol-gel method.•Stability of TiO2 NPs in the B30 blend has been improved by adding sodium dodecyl sulphate surfactant.•RSM technique has been used to develop an interaction between to independent variables such as engine speed and nanoparticle concentration.•BSFC and BTE significantly improved with the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles.•At higher engine speeds along with higher nanoparticles concentration, both HC and CO emissions significantly reduced. A slight escalation in NOx emissions has been observed with increase in engine speed and nanoparticles concentration.
•1-D Simulation Model for ALCO-251 Locomotive developed in GT-Suite.•High Pressure direct injection for methanol using Co-axial injector.•1-D Simulation base-model prepared and validated with ...experimental data.•Predictive combustion modeling for HPDI of Methanol with pilot diesel.•Optimised co-axial injector dimensions determined for methanol locomotive.•HPDI of methanol exhibited superior performance, combustion and emissions.
Methanol has emerged as a strong alternate fuel candidate, which can meet future fuel requirements for locomotive traction. Simulation approach is an excellent tool for preliminary technical feasibility assessment of alternative fuels compared to time consuming experiments. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the feasibility of 90% diesel displacement by methanol (on energy basis) in the ALCO-251 locomotive engines, the workhorse of Indian Railways (IR). In the first phase of this study, base model of ALCO-251 locomotive engine was prepared in 1-D simulation software (GT-Power), which was validated using the experimental data of mineral diesel provided by Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO), which is the R&D wing of IR. Locomotive engine works on eight different engine speeds at different notches: 350 rpm (1st Notch), 450 rpm (2nd Notch), 550 rpm (3rd Notch), 650 rpm (4th Notch), 750 rpm (5th Notch), 850 rpm (6th Notch), 950 rpm (7th Notch), 1050 rpm (8th Notch). In the second phase of the study using this validated model, a co-axial injector was used where methanol was used as the primary fuel, and diesel was used as the secondary fuel for pilot injection using Co-axial High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) method. For simulations, methanol and diesel injectors were housed in a single injector body of the co-axial injector, but they had individual controls. Co-axial injector was actuated such that first it injected diesel in hot air-environment to initiate the combustion, followed by injection of methanol as the main motive fuel. Base model simulated the engine performance, emissions, and combustion characteristics quite well, which were in good agreement with the experimental data. Pareto optimized dimensions of the co-axial injector were 0.486 mm nozzle hole diameter, and 3 holes for pilot diesel injection, and 0.544 mm nozzle hole diameter, and 5 holes for methanol injection. HPDI of Methanol with Pilot Diesel Injection Model with optimized injector dimensions exhibited in-cylinder pressure curve shapes similar to the base model with similar/ superior torque characteristics, higher brake thermal efficiency, and lower NOx emisssions. Inevitably, 1-D simulation for the locomotive engine represented a potential method to achieve similar/ better engine performance, combustion and emission characteristics via this new fuel injection concept, using high pressure co-axial direct injection system.
Vegetable oil methyl ester (VOME) is produced through the transesterification of vegetable oil and can be used as biodiesel in diesel engines as a renewable, nontoxic, and potentially environmentally ...friendly fossil fuel alternative in light of growing concerns regarding global warming and increasing oil prices. This study used VOME fuels produced from eight commonly seen oil bases to conduct a series of engine tests to investigate the effects of VOME on the engine performance, exhaust emissions, and combustion characteristics. The experimental results showed that using VOME in an unmodified direct injection (DI) diesel engine yielded a higher brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) due to the VOME fuel’s lower calorific value. The high cetane number of VOME also imparted a better ignition quality and the high intrinsic oxygen content advanced the combustion process. The earlier start of combustion and the rapid combustion rate led to a drastic increase in the heat release rate (HRR) and the in-cylinder combustion pressure (ICCP) during the premixed combustion phase. A higher combustion rate resulted in higher peaks of HRR and ICCP as well as near the top dead center (TDC) position. Thus, it was found that a diesel engine fueled with VOME could potentially produce the same engine power as one fueled with petroleum diesel (PD), but with a reduction in the exhaust gas temperature (EGT), smoke and total hydrocarbon (THC) emissions, albeit with a slight increase in nitrogen oxides (NO
x
) emissions. In addition, the VOME which possesses shorter carbon chains, more saturated bonds, and a higher oxygen content also yields a lower EGT as well as reduced smoke, NO
x
, and THC emissions. However, this is obtained at the detriment of an increased BSFC.
The availability of waste biomass and the advancement of waste-to-biogas technology has aided in the promotion of biogas as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. This research aims to find the best ...proportion of biogas to use in a blend of waste plastic oil (WPO) and diesel in the dual fuel mode (DFM) of engine induction for improved performance and emissions. In the CI engine, biogas (of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% by volume)is added as supplementary fuel alongside 20WPO-diesel blends.The optimal engine performance and emission are evaluated employing response surface methodology (RSM). The most desirable engine performance, i.e., higherenergy and exergyefficiency, and lowest BSFC, HC, and NOx emissions, is determined by using the response surface technique with potential engine parameters such as different engine loads, compression ratios, and various proportions of biogas with test fuel. The energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, BSFC, and CO, HC, and NOx emissions, of 18.6%, 50.05%, 0.46 kg/kWh, 0.16 ppm, 41.28 ppm, and 107.81 ppm respectively are found at optimum conditions of 57.12% engine load, 18 compression ratio, and 20% volume biogas with 20% WPO-diesel blend, with combined desirability, D of 0.90029.
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•RBO blends satisfy diesel requirement with facilitate a green environment.•Blends of crude RBO shows highest EGT values.•Blends of crude rice bran methyl ester have been used as ...future fuel in diesel engines.•Bioactivities order is Control > Crude rice bran oil > B30 > B20 > B40 > B100.
The present work involves the investigation of biodiesel characteristics derived from rice bran oil via heterogeneous basic catalytic transesterification path as the rice husk contains about 16–20% of crude rice bran oil by its weight. Engine performance and emission characteristics of rice bran oil derived biodiesel blends during fueling a four-stroke, single-cylinder, direct-injection engine at 1500 rpm were investigated. The results indicate that 20% biodiesel blend leads to a lower ignition delay at higher loads which in turn increases the rate of vaporization of the fuel as it has higher cetane umber. This fuel blend has a high in-cylinder peak pressure and heat release rate (HRR) of about 72.1 bar and 70.826 J/°CA respectively, during the pre-mixed combustion phase in rapid combustion due to the higher oxygen content. Even though, it has high viscous nature, it possesses highest brake thermal efficiency (BTE) which adds absolute combustion. The exhaust gas temperature (EGT: 7.8221%) increases with load and the observed values were matched with other biofuels. Moreover, the HCs, COx and NOx emissions decrease as the load increases since the increase in fuel atomization promotes the combustion process and thereby decreases the amount of unburnt biodiesel components. At 100% load, the smoke cloudiness level was decreased by about 21.62%. The rice bran oil and the blended (20, 30 and 40%: B20, B30 and B40) samples were tested for their notable in vitro microbial, antioxidant and nuclease bio activities due to the presence of certain bioactive components in the rice bran derived biodiesel. If the rice bran oil (RBO) is converted effectively into biodiesel, thereby it will not only satisfy 60–70% of our diesel requirement but also facilitate a green environment.
In the last years, even more attention was paid to the alternative fuels that allow reducing the fuel consumption and the pollutant emissions. Gaseous fuels like methane and hydrogen are the most ...interesting in terms of engine application. This paper reports a comparison between standard gasoline fuel, methane and different methane/hydrogen blends in a transparent single-cylinder DI SI (direct injection spark ignition) engine representative of the small displacement gasoline engine for automotive application. Engine performance and regulated exhaust emissions were evaluated under steady state condition at 2000 rpm – full load, and stoichiometric condition. 2D-digital cycle resolved imaging measurements were performed from the start of injection to the end of combustion. They allowed the characterization of the gaseous and liquid injection and the flame propagation, in terms of the mean radius and velocity. The combustion promotion due to the hydrogen addition and its contribution to the reduction of the pollutant formation were estimated.
•Use of gaseous fuels to reduce the fuel consumption and the pollutant emissions.•Analysis of gaseous direct injection into the combustion chamber.•Comparison between combustion of gasoline fuel, methane and methane/hydrogen blends.•Combustion promotion due to the hydrogen addition and reduction of the pollutant formation.
The ever-growing use and expense of fossil fuels have prompted the planet to quest for alternatives to environmental issues. Efforts are being made worldwide to extract alternative fuels from more ...than 400 plant species for both edible and non-edible oils. Being edible oils consuming by the human race, this paper concentrated on non-edible deep-fried oil rather than fresh vegetable oils. Deep-Fried Oil (DFO) was considered as non-edible oil because poor quality to re-use the same. However, direct use of DFO in an engine domain remains a significant challenge due to its high viscosity and low heat value. This investigation deals with this problem through synchronous DFO pre-heating with the waste heat recovery framework. Experimental research was carried out on a 4-stroke, constant speed, water-cooled, IDI compression ignition engine with a power of 9.85 hp. The effect of the pre-heating of DFO was tested at various temperatures ranging from 60 °C to 130 °C for performance, combustion and emissions. Further, 130 °C shown improved efficiency, which is nearby diesel and a marginal rise in pollution was observed.
•Sunflower Oil based Deep Fried Oil (DFO) is identified as a novel feed stock.•Preheating the DFO to 130 °C shown performance nearby diesel operation.•Performance, emissions and combustion analysis was carried out.•FFA analysis was carried out on virgin sunflower oil and sunflower oil based DFO and discussed.•Combustion analysis instrumentation associated with IDI CI engine was discussed.
