Combustion Characteristics of a Diesel Engine Fueled by Biodiesel-Diesel-N-Butanol Blend and Titanium Oxide Additives

Abstract

Jojoba biodiesel is considered a promising feedstock for renewable energy sources in different countries, however, it has a high viscosity which hinders it to be used with high blending ratio with diesel fuel. Meanwhile, there is a new technique which uses the nanoparticles as additives to diesel-biodiesel-alcohol blend to improve diesel engines performance. Therefore, in this study, to enhance the engine combustion and emission characteristics of a diesel engine, the titanium oxide (TiO₂) (25 and 50 mg/L) is used as additives of 50% by volume Jojoba biodiesel, 40% diesel, and 10% n-butanol (denoted by J50D10Bu). The addition of TiO₂ nanoparticles to J50D10Bu blend shows that the peak pressure and heat release rate are increased up to 2% and 1.5% respectively. Additionally, the bsfc, as well as CO and UHC emissions, are decreased up to 17%, 30%, and 50% respectively, while NO_x is increased in average by 30%. Subsequently, adding high jatropha biodiesel ratio (50% by volume) with 10% n-butanol and 40% diesel fuel with the addition of TiO₂ nanoparticles has the potential to accomplish ultra-low CO and UHC emissions meanwhile keeping high thermal efficiency level.