DEVELOPMENT OF FUEL NANO-ADDITIVES FROM AGROWASTE FOR AUTOMOBILE APPLICATION
| dc.creator | Biodun, Biola Mathew, Covenant University, Theses | |
| dc.date | 2022 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-04-08T09:58:48Z | |
| dc.description | This study aimed to develop a nano-additive capable of modifying the combustion properties of gasoline and improve the engine performance when introduced into a spark ignition engine. To achieve this, the nanofluid additive was prepared using the two-step process. This comprised of an alcohol base fluid (ethanol), metal oxide nanoparticles, and dispersants, all of which have been obtained from agricultural wastes. Sugarcane waste (bagasse) and cassava waste (peel) were fermented to produce the ethanol base fluid addressing the sustainable production and consumption which is the one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, the dispersant was derived from hydrolysis and fermentation of fish waste (fish head, intestine and bone). At the same time, nanoparticle was synthesized from the crushing of coconut waste for over 70 hours using the mechanical ball milling method. The resulting nanoparticle’s structure, morphology, and elemental composition were evaluated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)/ energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDS). An ultrasonic agitation device was then used to ensure a homogeneous mixture of nanoparticle, ethanol and dispersant (at sonication time of 30 minutes). Subsequently, the blended fuels were prepared in three (3) varying proportions, and the mix proportions for both categories of blends (Ethanol and nanofluid additive) are: 0:100 vol%, 1:99 vol%, 4:96 vol%, 7:93 vol%, and 10:90 vol%. Fuel characterisation of gasoline (A0), gasoline-ethanol blend (B4) and gasoline-nanofluid additive (A4) blend were identified. Properties such as specific gravity (ASTM D1298), sulphur content (ASTM 4294), benzene content (ASTM 6277), research octane number (ASTM D2699) and oxygenates (ASTM D5845) were determined. The result from this research demonstrates a reduction in density, benzene content and increase in oxygenates by 1.01%, 50.6% and 1.22% respectively, between sample A0 to sample A4. The developed fuel blends containing ethanol and nanoparticle additive were used to operate a single-cylinder, four-stroke spark-ignition engine (TQ TD115 MK11), the value of Torque (T) was recorded between the speeds of 1000 to 3500 rpm. Resulting value of Brake Power (BP), Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) and Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC) were also derived. Engine performance of sample A4 revealed improved T, BP, BTE and SFC when compared with A0, 3.03%, 9.09%, 18.26% and -7.43% respectively and outperformed B4 at elevated speeds. The result from this study highlights the effectiveness of nano-additives derived from agricultural wastes on the engine properties of an SI engine. The potential improvement in the combustion properties of gasoline led to an increase in engine performance and, consequently, reduction in automobile maintenance cost.This study aimed to develop a nano-additive capable of modifying the combustion properties of gasoline and improve the engine performance when introduced into a spark ignition engine. To achieve this, the nanofluid additive was prepared using the two-step process. This comprised of an alcohol base fluid (ethanol), metal oxide nanoparticles, and dispersants, all of which have been obtained from agricultural wastes. Sugarcane waste (bagasse) and cassava waste (peel) were fermented to produce the ethanol base fluid addressing the sustainable production and consumption which is the one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, the dispersant was derived from hydrolysis and fermentation of fish waste (fish head, intestine and bone). At the same time, nanoparticle was synthesized from the crushing of coconut waste for over 70 hours using the mechanical ball milling method. The resulting nanoparticle’s structure, morphology, and elemental composition were evaluated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)/ energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDS). An ultrasonic agitation device was then used to ensure a homogeneous mixture of nanoparticle, ethanol and dispersant (at sonication time of 30 minutes). Subsequently, the blended fuels were prepared in three (3) varying proportions, and the mix proportions for both categories of blends (Ethanol and nanofluid additive) are: 0:100 vol%, 1:99 vol%, 4:96 vol%, 7:93 vol%, and 10:90 vol%. Fuel characterisation of gasoline (A0), gasoline-ethanol blend (B4) and gasoline-nanofluid additive (A4) blend were identified. Properties such as specific gravity (ASTM D1298), sulphur content (ASTM 4294), benzene content (ASTM 6277), research octane number (ASTM D2699) and oxygenates (ASTM D5845) were determined. The result from this research demonstrates a reduction in density, benzene content and increase in oxygenates by 1.01%, 50.6% and 1.22% respectively, between sample A0 to sample A4. The developed fuel blends containing ethanol and nanoparticle additive were used to operate a single-cylinder, four-stroke spark-ignition engine (TQ TD115 MK11), the value of Torque (T) was recorded between the speeds of 1000 to 3500 rpm. Resulting value of Brake Power (BP), Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) and Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC) were also derived. Engine performance of sample A4 revealed improved T, BP, BTE and SFC when compared with A0, 3.03%, 9.09%, 18.26% and -7.43% respectively and outperformed B4 at elevated speeds. The result from this study highlights the effectiveness of nano-additives derived from agricultural wastes on the engine properties of an SI engine. The potential improvement in the combustion properties of gasoline led to an increase in engine performance and, consequently, reduction in automobile maintenance cost. | |
| dc.identifier | http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/16614/ | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://repository.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/handle/123456789/46616 | |
| dc.subject | TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery | |
| dc.title | DEVELOPMENT OF FUEL NANO-ADDITIVES FROM AGROWASTE FOR AUTOMOBILE APPLICATION | |
| dc.type | Thesis |