Abstract
This paper reports on an experimental investigation that was conducted to recommend the most suitable dose level of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) into biodiesel-diesel fuel blend at which the optimum diesel engine performance is attained. In this study, nano-particles of size from 10 to 15nm with tube length 1-10 microns, the dose level is varied from 10 to 50mg/l by step of 10mg/l was mixed into the biodiesel-diesel fuel blend with the help of ultrasonicator. A single cylinder diesel engine test facility was used to study the effect of nanoparticles dose level on engine combustion and environmental performance parameters with a constant speed of 2000 RPM and different engine torque. The results of the present study showed that the biodiesel-diesel fuel blend slightly decreases the mechanical engine performance and increases its emission characteristics at all tested engine operating conditions. The use of MWCNTs is found to improve all engine performance parameters no matter the studied dose level. However, the best emission characteristics are obtained at a dose level of 30mg/l (where remarkable emission reduction is observed; NOx by 45%, CO by 50%, and UHC by 60%). While the best of engine combustion characteristics are achieved at a dose level of 50mg/l (the increase in the in-cylinder peak pressure - Pmax, is about 7%). Finally, it valuable to recommend the dose level of 40mg/l where reasonable improvement in engine performance is achieved.