Experimental investigation on direct injection diesel engine fuelled with graphene, silver and multiwalled carbon nanotubes-biodiesel blended fuels

In the present energy scenario of increased energy demand and rapid depletion of high energy nonrenewable energy resources like petroleum products the search for new renewable and alternative fuels has gained momentum. Increased pollution due to the excess use of such petroleum and diesel fuels for varied energy requirements is another important issue to be addressed. Due to their low emission characteristics and equivalent energy density biodiesel are becoming more useful in replacement for petroleum fuels. In the present work biodiesel derived from honge oil called Honge oil methyl ester (HOME) was used as an alternative fuel as it was locally and abundantly available. Different metal and metal oxide nano-particles were then added to HOME to prepare novel hybrid fuel blends. Biodiesel-nanoparticles blends were prepared with the aid of an ultra-sonicator and the nanoparticles used were varied in the mass fraction of 25ppm and 50 ppm. Experimental investigations were carried out on a single cylinder four stroke diesel engine fuelled with biodiesel-nanoparticle blends to determine performance, combustion and emission characteristics. The result showed considerable enhancement in the brake thermal efficiency with reduced harmful exhaust emission from engine with addition of nano-particles to HOME.