Stability, performance and emission analysis of single cylinder diesel engine fueled with water diesel emulsion as an alternate fuel

Abstract

In the present work, the surfactant concentration is varied and optimised to achieve long term stability of water in diesel emulsion. The non ionic, non-irritant, safe surfactants derived from sorbitan esters and polyoxyethylene groups are used to prepare emulsion by varying the concentration. It is observed that the mixture of span 20 and tween 80 forms a highly stabled emulsion by the aid of mechanical homogenizer. The blends are prepared by adding surfactants and water droplets to the diesel. The viscosity, flash and fire point, calorific value and density of prepared blends were determined as per standards. The experiments were performed in a single cylinder, 4-stroke water cooled diesel engine at constant speed (1500 RPM) over different load conditions. Engine performance parameters and emission characteristics are evaluated. From the results it is observed that brake thermal efficiency increases by 1.2% and NOX reduction is 20 to 30%. Increasing trend is observed for HC and CO emissions with increase in water concentration in water diesel emulsion.