Reducing the Viscosity of Diesel Fuel with Electrorheological Effect

• Published in: Journal of intelligent material systems and structures 2011-10, Vol.22 (15), p.1713-1716
• Main Authors: Du, Enpeng, Tang, H., Huang, K., Tao, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Combustion; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Deformation; material flow; Diesel; Diesel fuels; Effects of electric and magnetic fields; Electric fields; Electro- and magnetorheological fluids; Engines; Engines and turbines; Exact sciences and technology; Internal combustion engines: gazoline engine, diesel engines, etc; Material types; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Nanostructure; Physics; Rheology; Sulfur; Viscosity
• ISSN: 1045-389X; 1530-8138
• DOI: 10.1177/1045389X11421819

Improving engine efficiency and reducing pollutant emissions are extremely important. Here the authors report their finding, using electrorheology to reduce the viscosity of diesel fuel. Diesel is made of many different molecules, 75% small molecules and 25% large molecules. In addition, it contains other nanoscale particles, such as sulfur. Therefore, diesel can be regarded as a liquid suspension. Under a strong electric field, the large molecules aggregate into small clusters, yielding a lower viscosity. For high-sulfur diesel, the applied electric field is around 1 kV/mm. However, for ultra-low-sulfur diesel, the required electric field must be around 2 kV/mm. This viscosity reduction leads to finer mist in fuel atomization, improving the combustion, and engine efficiency.