The combined effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and exhaust gas recirculation on the performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine

The present experimental investigation focuses on the combined effects of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) of a diesel engine fuelled with Calophyllum inophyllum biodiesel blends. The C. inophyllum biodiesel-diesel blend was prepared in a proportion of 20% biodiesel and 80% diesel (B20) by a volumetric basis with a magnetic stirrer. The MWCNTs (in the mass fraction of 40?ppm) were dispersed into the B20 fuel with the help of an ultrasonicator. The results show that brake thermal efficiency increases by 7.6% with the addition of MWCNTs to the B20 fuel, decreases by 2.42% with the EGR to the B20 fuel, and increases by 2.26% with the addition of MWCNTs and EGR to the B20 fuel compared to the B20 fuel. The maximum cylinder pressure and heat release rate was occurred as 67.35 bar and 74.80?kJ/m(3) deg for the B20MWCNT40 fuel at full load condition. The CO and HC emissions for the B20MWCNT40+20%EGR fuel sample were lower compared to the B20 fuel. The Smoke emissions were reduced for B20MWCNT40 fuel compared to the B20 fuel. The NOx emissions were reduced by 25.6%, 29.7% for B20+20%EGR, B20MWCNT40+20%EGR fuel samples compared to the B20 fuel.