The impact of nano additives in corn oil biodiesel used in combustion engines on the environment and optimization using response surface methodology

Abstract

This study investigates the use of biodiesel produced from corn oil in diesel engines, with a focus on optimizing fuel performance and reducing emissions. The increasing environmental impact of fossil fuels has led to a growing interest in alternative fuels like biodiesel. However, the challenge lies in maintaining engine performance while reducing emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and unburnt hydrocarbons (UHC). In this work, corn oil biodiesel was blended with diesel at a concentration of 20%, and a 5.2 kW diesel engine was tested for performance, including torque and emissions. The study employed response surface methodology (RSM) to determine optimal engine settings for factors such as load and TiO nanoparticle concentration. Results revealed that the 20% biodiesel blend did not negatively impact engine torque and power, with a significant 20% reduction in CO₂ emissions. The best torque, UHC, and CO₂ emissions were found to be 20.331 N m, 43.811 ppm, and 5.891 ppm, respectively, when the load was 8.546 kg and the TiO₂ concentration was 86.513 ppm. The novelty of this work lies in the innovative use of TiO₂ nanoparticles to improve biodiesel combustion efficiency and reduce emissions while maintaining engine performance. This study fills a gap in the research by combining nano-additives with biodiesel optimization using RSM to make engines more efficient and better for the environment.