An Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Aluminum Oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ) Nanoparticles as fuel additive on the Performance and Emissions of a Diesel Engine 2016-01-0828

In the present study, the enhancement of an engine performance and emission characteristics by the addition of nanoparticles to the fuel is presented. In this regard, Aluminum Oxide (Al₂O₃) Nanoparticles were utilized as fuel additive in a single cylinder, direct injection four stroke diesel engine. Two percentages of 0.1 and 0.5% by weight of Al₂O₃ were tested and compared to regular diesel fuel. The results showed that nano-sized aluminum oxide can improve the performance of diesel engines and reduce the emission of pollutants like CO₂ and HC compared to conventional diesel fuel. Furthermore, the results indicated that the nanofuel with nanoparticle concentration of 0.5 % gives better performance characteristics in comparison with that of 0.1 %.

However, the only downside of the nanoparticle addition was the relative increase in CO emissions at low loads.