Experimental Analysis of Thermophysical Properties of the Nano-catalyst Blended Diesel Fuel

This experimental study aimed to examine the effects of incorporating nanoparticles into diesel fuels. Nano-catalyst blended diesel fuels are produced by including copper oxide, aluminium oxide and graphene nanoparticles. The nanoparticles, along with the Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) surfactant, were combined with diesel fuel in different mass ratios using an ultrasonicator. An analysis has been conducted to measure and compare the thermophysical properties of nano-catalyst blended diesel and pure diesel fuel. This study places a central emphasis on exploring the thermophysical attributes of nano-catalyst blended diesel fuel, crucial determinants in shaping the heat transfer characteristics of the medium. This includes a thorough examination of both convective and conductive heat transfer capacities within the formulated fuel. The discussion revolves around the percentage variations observed across various key thermophysical properties. Within this context, the thermal conductivity of nano-catalyst blended diesel demonstrates a notable maximum increase of 26%, highlighting its pivotal role in augmenting heat transfer efficiency. Concurrently, the specific heat experiences a maximum decrease of 10%, influencing the heat storage characteristics of the fuel. Viscosity, a critical factor in fluid dynamics, exhibits a substantial maximum increase of 22%, impacting flow behaviour and pumping requirements. Density, representing mass per unit volume, undergoes a maximum increase of 4%, influencing overall fuel density and combustion attributes. Surface tension, identified as the most significant property in this study, demonstrates a maximum decrease of 20%, indicating improvements in wetting and spreading properties. In summary, the integration of aluminium oxide, copper oxide and graphene nanoparticles into diesel fuel reveals promising outcomes. The observed variations in thermophysical properties suggest potential enhancements in the performance and combustion efficiency of nanodiesel, coupled with effective pollution management.