DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v27i3.481

Keywords: Biodiesel; neem seed oil; nano-TiO₂; engine emission; brake thermal efficiency

Abstract

The increasing environmental concerns and depletion of fossil fuel reserves have accelerated research into alternative and sustainable fuels. In this study, neem seed oil-based biodiesel was prepared and blended with pure diesel (PD) at a 15% concentration to create a biodiesel blend (PDNS). In order to enhance the combustion and emission characteristics, titania (TiO₂) nanoparticles at varying concentrations (25 ppm, 50 ppm, and 75 ppm) were incorporated into the biodiesel blend (PDNS). The experimental investigation was conducted on a four-stroke, single-cylinder diesel engine under different engine loads. The performance parameters such as brake thermal efficiency (BTE), smoke opacity, carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions were measured and compared. The results indicated that the addition of nano-TiO₂ significantly improved the BTE and reduced CO, HC, and smoke emissions, with the 50-ppm concentration exhibiting the most favorable performance. However, a slight increase in NOx emissions was observed due to enhanced combustion temperatures. The findings suggest that neem seed oil-based biodiesel doped with nano-TiO₂ could serve as a promising alternative fuel blend to improve the engine performance with reduced emissions.