An Experimental Investigation on Performance and Emission Characteristics of PCCI Engine Using BiodieselEthanol Blends in Dual Fuel Mode

Abstract

The global automotive industry is faced with the task of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions generated by vehicle exhaust. Heavy machinery like trucks, trailers, off-road vehicles, etc. powered by the diesel engines. These vehicles emit large quantities of NOx and smoke emissions. The simultaneous reduction of both emissions is the key challenge for the automotive industry. Burning a homogeneous charge at relatively low temperature seems to be the means to control both the emissions simultaneously. In this experimental study, the combustion, performance and emissions characteristics of a premixed charge compression Ignition Engine (PCCI) with ethanol injected in the intake manifold of the engine along with biodiesel (Palm oil methyl ester) injected directly into the combustion chamber. The experiments were carried out in a four-stroke, single cylinder vertical water cooled, constant speed diesel engine with the range of 10-30% premixed ethanol fuel from no load to full load condition is studied. The experiments were conducted with an engine operating in PCCI mode with biodiesel-ethanol blends in dual fuel mode. The experimental results showed that there was a slight increase in Hydrocarbon (HC) and Carbon monoxide (CO) but there was a reduction in Nitrous-oxide (NOX) and Smoke emissions for the blend containing 70% biodiesel and 30% ethanol.