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Enhancing the Stability of Nanoparticles Added to a Diesel-biodiesel Blend with the Aim of Improving the Properties of the Blend

Baghban Ronaghi, Taha | 2020

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  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 52845 (06)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
  6. Advisor(s): Fotovat, Farzam
  7. Abstract:
  8. The gradual depletion of the resources of fossil fuels, as well as the instability of their price in addition to the necessity of mitigation of hazardous air pollutants, are the chief reasons to increase the use of renewable sources. Biodiesel, as one of the best alternatives, can mitigate the emission of air pollutants resulting from fuel combustion. However, using raw biodiesel is not economically viable due to its lower quality in comparison with diesel. In this study, the role of nanoparticles in the improvement of biodiesel characteristics has been investigated. Firstly, biodiesel was produced from waste cooking oil (WCO) using the transesterification reaction, and then ceria and alumina were added to the mixture of diesel and biodiesel using the ultrasonication method at three different concentration levels: 50, 100, and 150 ppm. The stability of the suspension is one of the most important factors to be considered since the effect of the nanoparticles would dramatically be diminished if they sediment. The suspension stability was studied by determining zeta potential, and turbidity. The suspension containing 100 ppm of alumina nanoparticles with a mean size of 10 nm showed the highest degree of stability with the zeta potential of 10 mV. 140 μl oleic acid was used as a surfactant to improve the suspension stability after determining the critical micelle concentration (CMC). The sample B20Ceria100, containing %80 diesel, %20 biodiesel, and 100 ppm of ceria, proved to be an optimal alternative for biodiesel since it decreased biodiesel viscosity up to 34٪. The sample showed a 103 ℃ decrease in the flashpoint, as well as a 12 ℃ and a 14 ℃ decreases in cloud point and pour point, respectively. Moreover, the sample with 150 ppm alumina nanoparticles showed a 715 kJ/kg increase in the colorific value of the base blend (B20). Finally, to increase the stability of ceria nanoparticles in the suspension, the mixture of ceria-alumina nanoparticles was studied. The hybrid ceria-alumina nanoparticles showed an increase in short-term stability in comparison with the ceria nanoparticles
  9. Keywords:
  10. Diesel Engines ; Automotive Emissions ; Diesel Engine Air Pollutants ; Critical Micselle Concentration (CMC) ; Biodiesel Improvement ; Biodiesel ; Nanoparticles Stability ; Hybrid Nanoparticles

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