Enhancing diesel engine performance and emissions control with reduced Graphene oxide and Non-Edible biodiesel blends

Abstract

The growing concern about environmental degradation and the depletion of fossil fuel supplies has prompted experts to investigate alternate and sustainable transportation energy sources. In these circumstances, biodiesel made from renewable feedstock has emerged as a viable environmentally friendly alternative to conventional diesel. This study thoroughly examines the performance and emission characteristics of a 4-stroke diesel engine running on biodiesel blends, including reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanomaterial. The non-edible biodiesel from the Jatropha curcas plant is utilized, and it is blended in various ratios with conventional diesel, ethanol, and nanomaterial rGO to improve performance and emissions parameters. Torque increased by up to 17 % in rGO DJE02GO25 at 3500 rpm, while Brake Power decreased by 6.3 % in rGO DJE01GO25 at 2600 rpm. Brake Thermal Efficiency decreased by 12.5 % in rGO Blend 1 at 2600 rpm, and Brake-specific fuel consumption decreased by 16.5 % in rGO DJE02GO25 at 3500 rpm. CO₂ emissions decreased up to 19.71 % in rGO Blend 10 at 2600 rpm. HC emissions decreased to 94 % in rGO blend 8 at 3500 rpm. Finally, NOx emissions decreased up to 84.78 % in rGO Blend 1 at 2900 rpm. The current study reveals that after adding rGO nanomaterial in biodiesel, there is a significant decrease in NOx and HC emissions.