EFFECT OF SiO2 NANOPARTICLES ADDED TO DIESEL FUEL ON THE PERFORMANCE AND POLLUTANT EMISSIONS OF A FOUR STROKE DIESEL ENGINE

Abstract

Experimental work has been conducted using silica oxide SiO2 nanoparticle as an
additive to diesel fuel in a compression ignition engine in order to reduce pollutants
emissions and to improve engine performance. A 10 ppm and 20 ppm of SiO2 nanoparticle
is added to the diesel fuel. The results showed that the SiO2 nanoparticle blended with diesel
fuel improve engine performance such as brake thermal efficiency and brake specific fuel
consumption, increase in exhaust gas temperature and reduces carbon monoxide, and
unburned hydrocarbon emissions. Also the results showed that the blend of the SiO2
nanoparticle to diesel fuel led to increase in the carbon dioxide in the exhaust gases. The
tests are carried out at constant speed of 1500 rpm, under different engine load conditions.