Response surface methodology (RSM) based experimental and model analysis of diethyl ether-biodiesel-diesel blends with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on stationary diesel engine

In compliance with proposed targets of green energy and reduced emissions during the Glasgow summit, the study of blended fuels in internal combustion engines is of great significance. To address this issue, a detailed study of the engine performance and exhaust emissions has been conducted with ternary fuel blends of diethyl ether (DEE), waste soybean cooking oil (WSCO) biodiesel, and ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). Ternary blends were prepared by adding 0-15% v/v DEE with the B35 blend (35% v/v WSCO biodiesel + 65% v/v ULSD), and tests were carried out with 15% EGR. The RSM based modeling and experimental approaches have been used for analysis. With a desirability of 0.961, the ternary blend DEE10B35EGR15 (10% v/v DEE + 90% v/v B35 at 15% EGR) was found to be an optimal blend. The measured responses are 0.272 kg/kWh, 31.47%, 18.94 HSU%, 91 ppm, 0.030%, and 24 ppm for brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), smoke, nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions, respectively. An innovative approach to analysis and quantifying the responses to ternary blends with EGR has been presented in the form of mathematical equations for future use and scope.