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Mitigating exhaust emissions in CI engines using butanol-diesel-water microemulsions
Iyman Abrar1, Ashok N Bhaskarwar2
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani-Hyderabad Campus, Shameerpet, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500078, India. iyman_abrar@yahoo.co.in.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research International
|November 28, 2022
Summary
Surfactant-free microemulsions show promise as a cleaner alternative to diesel fuel in compression-ignition engines. These alcohol-based fuels significantly reduce harmful emissions like HC, NOx, and PM, while maintaining stable properties.
Area of Science:
- Sustainable energy and fuel technology
- Combustion engines and emissions control
- Colloid and surface chemistry
Background:
- Diesel fuel combustion contributes to significant air pollution.
- Developing cleaner fuel alternatives is crucial for environmental sustainability.
- Microemulsions offer potential as alternative fuels due to tunable properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the usability of surfactant-free microemulsions as a substitute for diesel in compression-ignition (CI) engines.
- To analyze the physical and chemical properties of microemulsions with varying butanol and water content.
- To assess the performance and emission characteristics of these microemulsions in CI engines.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of microemulsions with 35% and 40% butanol, incorporating diesel and water.
- Characterization of microemulsion properties: viscosity, specific gravity, cloud point, sulfur content, heating value, and cetane index.
- Engine performance testing to measure brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC).
- Emissions analysis for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM).
Main Results:
- Microemulsions exhibited properties comparable to diesel, with slight reductions in heating value and cetane index.
- Stable microemulsion formulations were achieved with low water and sediment content.
- ME40 demonstrated improved BTE (0.6-3.5%) but increased BSFC (5.3-8.9%).
- Significant reductions in HC (19.0-48.9%), NOx (14.8-41.9%), and PM (10.06-50.24%) emissions were observed across all loads.
- Average CO emissions decreased by 5.16-31.9%, particularly at higher engine loads.
Conclusions:
- Surfactant-free microemulsions are a viable and sustainable alternative to diesel fuel for CI engines.
- These fuels offer substantial reductions in harmful emissions, contributing to cleaner combustion.
- Further research can optimize microemulsion composition for enhanced engine performance and emission control.
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