Investigating the Tribological Behavior of Diesel-biodiesel Blends with Nanoparticle Additives under Short-term Tests

Abstract

The addition of nanoparticles to lubricant is effective for the reduction of wear and friction in the mechanical system. In this research, the effects of additions of copper oxide nanoparticle nanoparticles on lubrication behavior of biodiesel-diesel fuel blends were investigated by using a four-ball tester. Three fuel blends with the addition of 0, 25, 50 and 75 ppm nanoparticle were tested in steady-state conditions at four different rotational speed of 600, 1200 and 1500 rev/min. the results showed that the friction coefficient decreases with the increase in nanoparticles up to 50 ppm because of filling the friction surface with the nanoparticles and replacement of sliding friction with the rolling effect in the contact zone. On the other hand, the FC was enhanced significantly with 75 ppm nanoparticle addition in fuel blends B10 and B20. However, the results showed that the lubrication of fuel blend B50 with the 75 ppm nanoparticle is better than that of other fuel blends in the same situation. Moreover, it was found that with an increase in biodiesel concentration the friction coefficient was reduced due to free fatty acids, monoglycerides, and diglycerides as the components of biodiesel.