Enhancing diesel engine performance and emission using magnesium oxide with biodiesel blended fuels

Abstract

Growing environmental concerns and the push to reduce fossil fuel dependence have driven the search for cleaner, more sustainable transportation fuels. Biodiesel, produced from renewable and non-edible sources, offers a viable alternate to diesel used in daily life. Although this research investigates emission and performance parameters of a four-stroke diesel engine using blends of biodiesel enhanced with Magnesium Oxide (MgO) nanoparticles. This biodiesel was derived from “ Jatropha Curcas oil ” and blended with commercial diesel and ethanol as binders. Various proportions of MgO were added to different blends to evaluate their impact. At 3,500 rpm, “DJE09MgO125” showed a 13.5 % increase in both torque and brake power. “DJE01MgO25” recorded the highest volumetric efficiency gain of 9.7 % at 2,900 rpm, while “DJE09MgO125” improved brake thermal efficiency by 10.6 % at 3,200 rpm. In terms of emissions, “DJE01MgO25” achieved the maximum CO reduction of 39.88 % at 3,500 rpm in vol%. “DJE03MgO125” reduced CO ₂ emissions by 4.71 % in vol% at the same speed, and “DJE06MgO125” cut hydrocarbon (HC) emissions reported in ppm by 60 % at 2,600 rpm. “DJE09MgO125” also delivered the greatest NO _x reduction reported in ppm, with a 29.57 % decrease at 2,900 rpm. These results highlight the dual benefit of MgO nanoparticles in biodiesel blends, offering notable improvements in engine performance including torque, power, and efficiency alongside significant reductions in CO, CO ₂ , HC, and NO _x emissions. Overall, MgO proves to be an effective additive for enhancing the combustion and environmental performance of biodiesel-fueled engines.