Performance evaluation of direct injection diesel engine fueled with diesel-ZnO nanoparticles blends

Present experimental study focused on investigating the effects of diesel-ZnO nanoparticles blends on the performance evaluation of a four stroke two-cylinder direct injection Diesel engine. Two blends were employed to analyze engine combustion and performance parameters at various engine loads and constant speed (1500 rpm) conditions. Blends were prepared by dispersing ZnO nanoparticles with diesel fuel in different dosing levels through the ultrasonication process. One blend has 30 ppm ZnO nanoparticles per liter of diesel (D100ZnO30) and another has 60 ppm ZnO nanoparticles per liter of diesel (D100ZnO60). It was found that combustion and performance characteristics improved at higher engine loads for all blends. Present experimental results revealed that blending of ZnO nanoparticles in diesel fuel enhance engine performance due to better in-cylinder combustion. Combustion characteristics like maximum cumulative heat release, maximum net heat release rate, and peak rate of pressure rise of Diesel engine were promoted due to nanoparticles additive. Percentage increase of 9.09 and 10.09 in duration of combustion of D100ZnO30 and D100ZnO60 blends respectively than diesel was recorded at full load. At full load conditions, brake thermal efficiency was improved by 2.63% and 0.36% for D100ZnO30 and D100ZnO60 blends, respectively, as compared to diesel. Moreover, brake specific fuel consumption of D100ZnO30 and D100ZnO60 blends also improved significantly than diesel. Hence, it can be stated that ZnO nanoparticles in lower concentration would be an effective approach to significantly improve Diesel engine combustion and performance parameters.