Enhancing diesel engine performance and carbon nanotube yield using high alcohols and ferrocene

Abstract

This study investigated the potential of high-alcohol fuels and ferrocene nanoparticles to enhance diesel engine performance and promote carbon nanotube (CNT) formation. Butanol, pentanol, hexanol, heptanol, and octanol were blended with a diesel/biodiesel blend (B30). Ferrocene was added as a catalyst with a concentration of 1770 ppm to optimize CNT formation. Results indicated that high-alcohol fuels, particularly those with longer carbon chains, improved engine efficiency and reduced specific fuel consumption by 10 % and 8 %, respectively. Notably, engine emissions of CO, NO_x, and smoke opacity decreased by 26 %, 22 %, and 52 %, respectively, with octanol compared to B30. Furthermore, CNTs were successfully synthesized using pentanol, hexanol, and heptanol, but not butanol. A novel particulate trap was designed and fabricated for large-scale collection. The collected samples were subjected to different analyses to confirm the successful production of CNTs, especially with high alcohols, particularly octanol. This research offers insights into the synergistic effects of high-alcohol fuels and ferrocene for improved performance and CNT production.