Impact of Nerium-Water Emulsion with Diethyl Ether on Performance and Emission Reduction in a Direct Injection Diesel Engine

This study investigated the impact of a Nerium-water emulsion, enhanced with diethyl ether (DEE) addition at 5%, 10%, and 15% concentrations, on the performance, combustion, and emissions of a direct injection (DI) diesel engine. Motivated by the need for sustainable fuels and reduced pollutant output, this research explored the potential of a Nerium-derived emulsion, leveraging DEE’s oxygenating properties. Experiments were conducted on a single-cylinder, water-cooled diesel engine under steady-state conditions, analyzing in-cylinder pressure, heat release rate (HRR), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and smoke opacity. Brake thermal efficiency and specific energy consumption were also evaluated. The finding revealed that incorporating the Nerium-water emulsion DEE effectively decreased NOx and smoke opacity while largely maintaining brake thermal efficiency. Notably, higher DEE concentrations are generally correlated with greater emission reductions. The 15% DEE blend demonstrated the most promising results, achieving the lowest NOx and smoke opacity with minimal compromise to engine efficiency compared to the 5% and 10% blends. These results unequivocally highlight the synergistic advantages of employing a Nerium-water emulsion enriched with DEE as a fuel for a DI diesel engine. This approach offers a viable strategy for cleaner engine operation by utilizing a non-food biomass resource and significantly mitigating harmful emissions, thereby contributing to more sustainable transportation practices. The optimized blend with 15% DEE presents a particularly beneficial pathway for balancing performance and emission reduction in DI diesel engine applications.