A new study, conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Technology in Tiruchirappalli, India, shows that the addition of alumina nanoparticles to biodiesel can improve the performance and combustion of biofuels, while producing fewer emissions. The nanoparticles increase fuel combustion because they have more reactive surfaces and can act as more efficient chemical catalysts. The particles also increase fuel-air mixing in the biofuel, which leads to more complete burning. The nanoparticle-spiked fuel produced significantly lower quantities of nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide gases, and created less smoke. Lead author R. B. Anand, an associate professor of mechanical engineering, and his team, are now investigating other types of nanoparticles, such as hollow carbon nanotubes. One obstacle, says Anand, to this kind of nanotechnology, is the high cost of nanoparticle production. Anand also cautions that nanoparticles “should be used judiciously,” because they tend to “entrain into human bodies.” The article can be viewed online at the link below.
http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-04-nanoparticles-biofuel.html