A recent paper by R. B. Anand and J. Sadhik Basha published in the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy reveals that adding alumina nanoparticles can make biodiesel perform better and become more combustible besides producing less emission.
R. B. Anand, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the National Institute of Technology in Tiruchirappalli, India, who is the lead author of the paper, says nanoparticles exhibit high surface-to-volume ratio. The nanoparticles used in the research measured about 51nm and possess surfaces that are more responsive. This makes them efficient chemical catalysts, so enhancing fuel combustion. The nano particles also enhance fuel to air mixing in the fuel, allowing them to burn more fully.
Anand and J. Sadhik Basha, who co-authored the paper, utilized a mechanical agitator to generate a mixture of jatropha biodiesel, water, and a surfactant. Multiple quantities of alumina nanoparticles were then blended in proportionately. The nanoparticle-laced fuels emitted low nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide gases, while causing less smoke.