Experimental investigation of diesel engine running on diesel fuel supplemented with CeO2 metal nanoparticles

Many factors depend on improving the performance and reducing pollutant emissions caused by fossil fuels in commonly used diesel engines. Nanoparticles have recently become popular in improving combustion performance due to the rapid decrease in fuel reserves and greenhouse gas emissions exceeding critical limits. In this study, a highly oxidizing and reactive additive, cerium dioxide (CeO2) nanoparticle, was added to diesel fuel in four different amounts (25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm). While the nanoparticle additive diminished the brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), it developed the brake-thermal efficiency (BTE), in-cylinder pressure (ICP), and heat release rate (HRR). With the accumulation of 100 ppm CeO2, BSFC decreased by 12.08%, while BTE, EGT, ICP, and HRR increased by 13.73%, 21.3%, 3.26%, and 9.52%, respectively, compared to diesel. The ignition delay and combustion time were reduced thanks to increased nanoparticle additive surface area/volume ratio. By the accumulation of 100 ppm CeO2, the ignition delay decreased from 11.52 degrees CA to 11.21 degrees CA, and the combustion time from 82.08 degrees CA to 79.92 degrees CA compared to diesel. Finally, the supplement of CeO2 caused a growth in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions while reducing carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), and smoke emissions. Compared to diesel fuel, with 100 ppm CeO2, NOx emissions increased by 7.56%, and CO, HC, and smoke emissions declined by 13.26%, 15.49%, and 17.65%, respectively. Evaluation of the obtained results reveals the capability of using CeO2 nanoparticles as a fuel additive for diesel fuel.