Combined effects of copper oxide nanoparticles and hydrogen enrichment on the performance and emissions of butanol enriched biodiesel in a diesel engine
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Results in Engineering
Abstract
This study explores a multi-faceted approach to improving the combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of a single-cylinder, four-stroke, direct injection (DI) compression ignition engine through the combined effects of butanol enrichment, green-synthesized copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles, and hydrogen supplementation. The baseline fuel was a B20 biodiesel blend, further enriched with 10 % butanol to enhance oxygen availability and atomization. CuO nanoparticles were synthesized via an eco-friendly aloe vera extract-mediated method and dispersed into the fuel to promote oxidation kinetics and stabilize combustion. Experimental results revealed that the B20+But10 %+CuO100 blend achieved the highest brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of 33.6 % at full load, alongside notable reductions in carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and smoke opacity compared to neat B20. Reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) trials further demonstrated that hydrogen enrichment at 5 LPM and 10 LPM improved flame propagation, Brake thermal efficiency (33.89 % & 35.43 %), and reduced brake-specific fuel consumption of nearly 10 % (0.26 Kg/KWh) & 0.25 Kg/KWh). While excessive hydrogen supply (10 LPM) marginally increased HC emissions (110 PPM) at higher loads due to localized incomplete oxidation, overall results confirm significant emission mitigation. The findings highlight that the synergistic integration of butanol oxygenation, catalytically active CuO nanoparticles, and optimized hydrogen enrichment offers a viable pathway toward cleaner combustion, improved energy efficiency, and reduced pollutant emissions in biodiesel-fueled CI engines.
DOI
10.1016/j.rineng.2025.107803
Publication Date
12-1-2025
Recommended Citation
C, Vijai; Babu, M. Dinesh; Babu, M. Naresh; and Mehar, Kulmani, "Combined effects of copper oxide nanoparticles and hydrogen enrichment on the performance and emissions of butanol enriched biodiesel in a diesel engine" (2025). Open Access archive. 12133.
https://impressions.manipal.edu/open-access-archive/12133