Study on using nano magnesium oxide (MNMgO) nanoparticles as fuel additives in terebinth oil biodiesel blends in a research diesel engine

Abstract

In this study, the effect of adding metal nano magnesium oxide (MNMgO) to a diesel-biodiesel blend on combustion and emissions was investigated. Firstly, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to determine that the unsaturated fatty acid content of Terebinth oil (TO) was 76.4%. Then, the free fatty acid value (%FFA) of TO was calculated to be 5.8%, indicating that the biodiesel production needed to be carried out in two stages. The conversion of triglycerides to methyl esters was confirmed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) at a wavelength of 1438.8 cm-1. The produced biodiesel and MnMgO were mixed with diesel fuel in certain proportions to prepare experimental fuels. The fuels were tested under variable loads and at a constant engine speed of 1500 rpm. The results obtained show that MNMgO reduced carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by an average of 10.23% and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions by 17.18%, but increased nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 2.21%. Additionally, there was a 1.67% increase in cylinder pressure (%CP) and a 7.82% increase in the net heat release rate (%NHRR), while the mean gas temperature (MGT) value decreased by 0.52%.