Modeling and optimization of stability aspects for water diesel emulsified fuel using response surface methodology

In the scenario of energy crisis and fall in environmental aspects, water diesel emulsified fuel (WDEF) acts as a promising alternative fuel. For improving the stability of emulsified fuel, optimization of the emulsification process should be performed. In this study, experimental and statistical analysis was executed to optimize the stability aspects of WDEF through response surface methodology (RSM) approach. Further, experimental investigations were carried out for performance, emission, and combustion features of the diesel engine by using optimized WDEF. The design of experiments was carried out by considering water concentration, surfactant concentration, and duration of ultrasonication as input parameters of the emulsification process. Their effects on the separation of water layer were inspected experimentally. The quadratic model was developed and confirmed for analysis of variance (ANOVA). Interactive effects of input parameters were plotted by using the regression model. The estimated optimum values of water concentration, surfactant concentration, and duration of ultrasonication were found to be 4.486% vol., 1.237% vol., and 30.0 min, respectively. The performance and combustion features showed the marginal difference between neat diesel and the emulsified fuel. The emissions of NOX, smoke, CO, and HC were reduced tremendously as compared to neat diesel.