December 5, 2025

Unveiling the role of ZnO and chromium doped ZnO additives in enhancing performance and downsizing emissions in CI engines fueled by juliflora biodiesel blend

Key Points

Engine efficiency improved with biodiesel incorporating nanoparticles, reducing emissions effectively.
The transesterification of Prosopis juliflora yielded a biodiesel blend showing desirable attributes.
Key metrics included significant reductions in hydrocarbon and CO emissions alongside enhanced thermal efficiency.
This research highlights the potential for nanoparticle incorporation in biodiesel to improve performance and emissions.

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of pure zinc oxide (ZnO) and zinc oxide doped with chromium (Cr-ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) in the Prosopis juliflora biodiesel in an 80:20 (PJB20) ratio on the enhancement of a compression ignition engine's efficiency and emission characteristics. The transesterification reaction was used to produce P. juliflora biodiesel (PJB). Several characterization experiments were performed to determine the form, size, and composition of the ZnO and Cr-ZnO NPs that were produced. The ZnO and Cr-ZnO NPs were evenly disseminated in PJB20 at two stages (50 and 100 ppm) using an ultrasonicator. The fuels' prepared physicochemical characteristics are in line with ASTM specifications. The fuel attributes of NP blends were superior to those of PJB20. In comparison to other studied fuels, the PJB20-Cr-ZnO100 combination has demonstrated an improvement in overall engine characteristics. In comparison to PJB20, the PJB20-Cr-ZnO100 mixture resulted in increases of 4.1% and 2.42% for brake thermal efficiency and cylinder pressure, a 16.12% decrease for brake specific fuel consumption, and reductions of 19.10%, 12.43%, and 12.71% for hydrocarbon, CO, and smoke emissions, respectively. Due to a greater oxygen supply to the combustion chamber, the oxide of nitrogen increased in all NP blends.

Mark Helpful

Bookmark

Relay