Nanoparticles as fuel additive for improving performance and reducing exhaust emissions of internal combustion engines

Nanoparticles showed their efficacy in every aspect of engineering applications due to their exceptional properties. The objective of the present work is to critically present a brief overview of improvement in engine performance and reduction in exhaust emissions due to the addition of nanosize fuel additives both in diesel or blended diesel fuel. It is found that the addition of fuel additives enhances the thermo-physical properties and improve combustion characteristics. Addition of the fuel additive also resulted in early combustion and shortened the ignition delay. Enhancement of properties of fuel due to nanoparticles as fuel additives enabled the blending of biodiesel with diesel. It is found that the addition of optimum quantity of fuel additive is beneficial for improvement in ignition characteristics and reduction in emissions. It is also gathered that the enhancement in thermal conductivity and reduction in peak cylinder temperature reduce NOx emissions. Very limited studies are reported for health risk issues associated with the addition of fuel additives.