Optimization of CRDI engine operating parameters using response surface methodology utilizing lemon peel oil biofuel enriched with hydroxy gas

The current study aims to optimize the operational variables of a CRDI engine in Dual-Fuel Mode (DFM). Hydroxy gas (HHO) was generated through water electrolysis using a concentric four-cylinder dry cell electrolyzer with NaOH catalyst, and it was introduced into the inlet manifold as the primary fuel. The pilot fuel consisted of Lemon Peel Oil (LPO) and pure diesel directly injected into the cylinder. An experimental matrix comprising 17 distinct runs was designed using Design of Experiments (DoE), utilizing Box-Behnken Design (BBD) based on Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The RSM model was created depending on the experimental data, and then operating parameters were optimized utilizing the desirability technique. The optimal engine operational variables were identified for the B25 LPO mixture with a constant HHO gas flow rate of 0.5 LPM, a Compression Ratio (CR) of 21.5, an Injection Pressure (IT) of 450 bars, and an inlet air temperature of 87℃. The optimized results were 30.18 % for Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE), 9.532 g/kW-hr for Carbon Monoxide (CO) emission, 0.253 g/kW-hr for Unburned Hydrocarbon (UHC) emission, and 23.510 g/kW-hr and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emission, yielding a total desirability of 0.7641. Empirical validation of the optimized responses at these input conditions demonstrated their conformity to acceptable error ranges.