A numerical study of the effects of various diesel fuel types on the performance of single-cylinder diesel engines

Abstract

The present study examines numerically the combustion, performance, and emissions parameters of diesel engines powered by different grades of diesel. The Diesel-RK software version 4.3.0.189 is used to simulate the combustion process with a multi-zone model. The Iraqi diesel, EN 590, Heavy diesel, and light diesel are considered. Their energy content, sulfur, cetane number, and other additives are different, hence it's logical to observe different results. The condition of full load point is selected since the air-to-fuel ratio is minimum, hence a better comparison among the fuels is captured. The diesel EN 590 reported a lower ignition delay (9.1 deg.) due to the lower cetane number, while it is 10.8, deg. 17.4 deg., and 14.1 deg. for Iraqi diesel, heavy diesel, and light diesel respectively. Compared to other fuels considered the light diesel offered lower fuel consumption and higher thermal efficiency. The results showed less CO2 emissions in the case of light diesel (778.3 kg/kWh), compared to heavy diesel which had an obvious rise in CO2 emissions (817.08 kg/kWh). The difference in the density chemical structure, the results showed that Bosh smoke number (BSN) values of Iraqi, and EN 590 diesel were almost the same at 1.39, and 1.385 respectively, while the BSN of light diesel was slightly higher at 1.44 compared to 1.8 for heavy diesel. The higher NOx levels of about 2400 and 2225 ppm, respectively, were produced by Iraqi and EN 590 diesel. But out of all the fuels, heavy diesel had the lowest NOx rating, at 1000 ppm. The accuracy of the software used is validated with the results of other studies.