article · Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry
Waste cooking oil biodiesel offers a renewable fuel alternative, but issues like high viscosity and poor atomisation often impair engine performance and combustion efficiency. To counter these challenges, waste cooking oil was converted into methyl ester and blended with petroleum diesel at a 20 percent volumetric ratio. Researchers incorporated 25 parts per million of zinc oxide, copper oxide, and hybrid zinc oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles into the fuel before testing it in a diesel engine run at 1500 rpm under varying loads. The hybrid nano-blend raised peak brake thermal efficiency by 4 percent over pure diesel and 21 percent over standard B20, whilst lowering fuel consumption by 22 percent compared to B20. It also reduced carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbon, and smoke emissions compared to pure diesel, despite slight rises in exhaust temperature and nitrogen oxides.
Using waste cooking oil as biodiesel reduces reliance on fossil fuels, but poor combustion characteristics have limited its wider adoption. Demonstrating that minute amounts of metallic oxide nanoparticles can simultaneously boost fuel efficiency and curb harmful exhaust pollutants makes recycled cooking oil blends far more attractive and viable for use in existing compression ignition engines.
This research is applicable to biofuel producers, additive manufacturers, and commercial fleet operators seeking cleaner renewable fuels. The work is at an applied, engine-tested stage, proving functional gains under controlled engine conditions at low additive concentrations. Moving towards real-world adoption will require long-term durability assessments, broader operational testing, and supply chain readiness for nanoparticle blending.
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Abstract The well-known trade-off between engine emissions and performance is one of the primary obstacles to using waste cooking oil (WCO) biodiesel. WCO biodiesel frequently results in incomplete combustion and decreased efficiency because to its relatively high viscosity, poor cold flow, and improper atomization characteristics. The goal of this work was to boost the thermophysical characteristics and combustion behavior of WCO methyl ester by using metallic oxide nanoparticles as fuel additives. Methyl ester was converted from WCO via transesterification and blended with diesel oil at 20% volumetric ratio (B20). Zinc oxide (ZnO), copper oxide (CuO), and hybrid ZnO–CuO formulation were incorporated at concentration of 25 ppm. Physicochemical properties of produced biodiesel and prepared nano-blends were evaluated prior to engine testing. Experimental investigations were conducted using diesel engine operating at 1500 rpm rated speed under load variation. Hybrid nano-blend increased brake thermal efficiency at peak load by 4% as related to pure diesel (D100) and by 21% in comparison to B20. Compared to B20, brake-specific fuel consumption was dropped by 22%. In comparison to D100, emission studies showed declines in carbon monoxide (7%), unburned hydrocarbons (16%), and smoke opacity (6%). In contrast with B20, hybrid nano-enhanced blend showed slight rise in exhaust gas temperature (4%) and nitrogen oxide concentrations (9%). Addition of 25 ppm hybrid ZnO–CuO nanoparticles improves engine performance and emissions parameters in a balanced way. Potential of nano-improved WCO biodiesel as a technically and financially feasible renewable fuel for compression ignition engines is supported by these findings.
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DOI: 10.1007/s10973-026-16156-1
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