The effect of ethanol-methanol-diesel-microalgae blends on performance, combustion and emissions of a direct injection diesel engine

To explore the effect of hybrid fuels containing microalgae, ethanol, methanol and diesel fuel (base fuel) were blends on combustion, performance and emission characteristics and compare with base fuel. The hybrid fuels were calculated using a single-cylinder, four-stroke, naturally aspirated engine, water-cooled, direct injection, diesel engine was used for the experiments under 20%, 50%, 75%, 100% load and simulated by using a thermodynamic engine simulation tool software. The results show that engine brake torque (EBT) of hybrid fuel (ethanol) emulsions were found to be high and exhaust gas temperature to be low compared with that of base fuel. Hybrid fuel (methanol) emulsions helps to increase the cylinder pressure. With the hybrid fuels blend, the ignition delay period and combustion duration of hybrid fuel blends is increased. With the addition of spirulina microalgae, the ignition delay period of spirulina microalgae-diesel blend fuel is shortened. Engine emission results indicated that spirulina microalgae emulsions fuel reduces the specific particulate matter (PM), soot and smoke emissions except nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions but carbon dioxide (CO2) emission to be higher compared with base fuel.