Performance Improvement and Emissions Reduction with Environmentally Friendly Water-Diesel Emulsion Fuel

Diesel fuel is composed of various molecules of hydrocarbons, so the properties vary from country to country. The sulfur content in Iraqi Diesel ranges from 1% to 2.5%. This abundance of sulfur contributes to a high level of emissions, including sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, particulates, and carbon monoxide. To reduce emissions and improve engine performance, a diesel water mixture has been proposed as a fuel for diesel engines. This study examined the performance of a diesel engine under different operating conditions when Diesel was mixed with 10%, 20%, and 30% volume proportions of water, named W10, W20, and W30, respectively. The use of W10 and W20 caused a brake-specific fuel consumption reduction of 2.32% and 4.89%, respectively, compared to conventional Diesel, while using W30 caused an increase in brake-specific fuel consumption of about 5.75%. The brake thermal efficiency improved by 3.6% and 4.63% when using W10 and W20, respectively. While its value decreased when working with W30 by about 2.48% compared to Diesel. Working with W10 and W20 reduced engine emissions of carbon monoxide by an average of 9% and 27%, hydrocarbons by 7.8% and 20%, nitrogen oxides by 8.9% and 20.8%, and particulate matter by 4.92% and 13.1%. Operating with W10 and W20 reduced both particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions. The results reveal that water mixing with Iraqi Diesel is an effective means of reducing diesel engine emissions.