Enhancement of Sapindus Trifoliatus Biodiesel Production and Performance using Mg-doped CaO Nanocatalyst

Abstract The use of biodiesel can reduce dependence on diesel and stabilize the economy when using internal combustion engines. CI engine's performance with biodiesel is substantially low but could be improved by emulsifying nano-additives with biodiesel. Magnesium-doped Calcium Oxide, a novel nanocatalyst is emulsified in its nano form with the Sapindus Trifoliatus biodiesel (STBD) at B25 blend (STBD25+Mg-CaO 30ppm) and tested in the CI engine. The performance results obtained are compared to the baseline values ​​obtained using diesel, Sapindus Trifoliatus biodiesel (STBD25), and Sapindus Trifoliatus biodiesel blended with Cao nano additives (STBD25+30ppm CaO) in the CI engine. . A maximum biodiesel yield of 91.75% was achieved at 58°C, 73 min, a catalyst concentration of 4% (%w / %w) and a methanol: oil molar ratio of 15:1. From the comparison, it is revealed that (i) In-cylinder pressure found to be increased by 3.22%, 6.24% and 9.02%, (ii) HRR increases by 1.68%, 16.69% and 32.5%, (iii) BTE is found to be increased by 4.56%, 8.23% and 11.79%, (iv) UHC decreases by 21.12%, 6.06% and 11.43%, (v) CO decreases by 0.04%, 0.01% and 0.01%, (vi) Smoke decreases by 54.52%, 9.34% and 19.58%, compared with diesel, STBD25+30ppm CaO and STBD25. NOx released while using STBD25+Mg doped CaO in CI engine was observed to decrease compared with STBD25 and STBD25+CaO (by 10.72 % and 18.64 %) and increase compared with diesel (by 8.64%). Whereas an insignificant drop in NOx was observed while using STBD25+Mg doped CaO as fuel compared with STBD25+CaO and STBD25 in spite of a significant increase in HRR and BTE which might be due to the capture of excess oxygen by Mg during the combustion diffusion phase.