Experimental Investigation of Performance and Emission Characteristics of IDI Diesel Engine Using Homogenized Water in Bio-Diesel Emulsion

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia.

^* Corresponding author: ambri@utp.edu.my

Abstract

Water in diesel emulsion when used as fuel in diesel engine has shown simultaneous reduction in both nitrogen oxides and particulate matters. However, when water in bio-diesel emulsion is used, the effect of simultaneous reduction of nitrogen oxides and particulate reduction is not achieved. The current study aims at investigating the diesel engine performance and exhaust emissions using water in bio-diesel fuel prepared by a homogenizer that produced micro-water particles in the emulsion. A 1.8L indirect injection diesel engine was operated using bio-diesel fuel which contains 95% diesel and 5% palm oil methyl ester, mixed with 5%, 10% and 20% by volume of water. Engine testing was conducted at full load condition with the engine speeds ranges from 1000 to 4000 rpm. Torque, engine speed and fuel consumption were measured along with emissions of NO_x, CO, CO₂, HC, O₂. The results showed small reduction in brake power, 1.4% and 2.1% for WBDE-5 and WBDE-10 respectively, at maximum torque. While, reduction in exhaust gas temperature, CO₂ and smoke opacity for all the tested emulsions were exhibited. On the other hand, NO_x was found to increase with increase in water contents due to the higher oxygen content in the bio-diesel fuel. WBDE-20 showed the worst efficacy due to having water content of 20% by volume.