A Review on the Effects of Nanolubricant Addition into Lube Oil on the Performance of Spark Ignition Engines

Abstract

Every year there is a rise in energy demand due to the rapid development in industrialization and automotive sector, demand and depletion of fossil fuels, fuel price instabilities, diminished energy security, uncertainty in oil supply to the consuming nations, fuel import costs, increased harmful environmental effects due to various pollutants are the main driving forces to search for new alternative fuels that are renewable, eco–friendly and harmless in nowadays. Most researchers have focused on developing a wide range of renewable energies including oxygenated fuels, biofuels, fuel cell, and solar energy technologies to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and control the emission of greenhouse gases to emit the atmosphere. The novel application in transportation and power generation sectors has shown development in the past decades to ensure a low emission level, energy savings, and high performance and efficiency. A new research area grows rapidly which is called nanotechnologies are considered nowadays one of the most recommended choices to solve the problem of the production and use of energy. Nanotechnology can be used to improve the efficiency and performance of both of conventional and renewable resources and also fuels. Nanofuels consist of a nano–sized metal particle having size ranging from 1 to 100 nm is mixed inside the base fluid by means of ultrasonication process. The nano fuel additive has a higher surface to volume ratio and act as a catalyst that results in enhanced characteristics of fuels and oils which leads to enhanced performance and combustion characteristics of internal combustion engines. This review study investigates the effects of nanolubricant addition into lube oil on the performance of spark ignition engines.