Comparative Study on Dynamic Viscosity of Nano Particle and Ethanol Enriched Gasoline Nanofluids to Analyze Fuel Efficiency

Enhancing gasoline’s thermal and flow properties is important due to increasing fuel consumption in transportation. Fuel additives provide a cost-effective solution, improving engine performance by optimizing combustion, reducing emissions, and enhancing fuel properties for better power and fuel economy. This study experimentally investigates the effects of carbon-based structures- Carbon Nanotubes (CNT), Carbon Nanospheres (CS), Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO), Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) as metal oxide nanoparticles, and ethanol as additives on gasoline viscosity with different weight/volume fractions. Dispersions were created in eight samples with weight fractions of 0.05% and 0.1%, and nine samples with volume fractions from 0.1% to 0.9%, with step size 0.1. A two-step direct mixing method was used for sample preparation and viscosity was measured with a viscometer (Anton Paar-SVM 3001) at temperatures ranging from 20℃ to 25℃ with step size 1. The carbon nanosphere (CS) nanofluid at 0.05 wt.% showed the least viscosity change, with a 0.015% increment at 20℃. Among the ethanol samples, the ethanol 0.1 vol.% gasoline exhibited the least viscosity change, with a 12.595% increment at 25℃ compared to other ethanol-gasoline samples. The viscosity of the nanofluids increased with higher concentrations of nanoparticles but decreased with rising temperatures. Conversely, ethanol positively influenced viscosity at elevated temperatures, especially in lower concentrations. Maintaining viscosity within an optimal range is essential for ensuring smooth fuel flow and enhancing engine performance. Based on these findings, carbon nanospheres and a 0.1 vol.% ethanol concentration are recommended for further study to improve gasoline fuel properties.

Keywords: Gasoline, Nanoparticles, Ethanol, Nanofluids, Viscosity