Abstract
In order to better evaluate the effects of ethanol/diesel blends on engine combustion and emission characteristics, we developed an engine cylinder model using the software CONVERGE combined with the program CHEMKIN. The model was validated experimentally. A modified chemical kinetic mechanism was used to calculate the combustion process of diesel fuel and ethanol for the diesel engine, including 154 reactions and 68 species. Furthermore, the influence of different ethanol proportions on diesel engine combustion and emission characteristics, including power, brake specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency, cylinder pressure, cylinder temperature, nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and soot emissions, was also investigated. Our results showed that cylinder pressure and temperature increased with increased ethanol content. When the ethanol content increased to 20% at 100% load, the cylinder pressure increased by 0.46%, and the thermal efficiency increased by 3.63%. However, due to the lower calorific value of ethanol, the power decreased by 4.12%, and the brake specific fuel consumption increased by 4.23%. In addition, the ethanol/diesel blends significantly reduced CO and soot emissions. Compared with diesel, soot and CO emissions from the D80E20 at 100% load reduced by 63.25% and 17.24%, respectively. However, NOx emission increased by 1.39%.
Highlights
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Under 100% load conditions, soot emission increases by 4.77%, 9.08%, 13.51%, and 17.24% when the ethanol content in blended fuels increases to 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, respectively
Under 100% load con17 of 20 ditions, soot emission increases by 4.77%, 9.08%, 13.51%, and 17.24% when the ethanol content in blended fuels increases to 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, respectively
Summary
Diesel engines are extensively used in both agriculture and industry due to their high thermal efficiency [1], good fuel efficiency [2], and higher power [3]. The diesel engine has brought prosperity to the world economy, it faces more serious problems such as energy shortages and environmental pollution [4]; this has been a major scientific research topic for diesel engine researchers seeking ways to save energy and reduce emissions [5]. In order to reduce human dependence on fossil energy and adapt to increasingly stringent emission regulations, research on the application of renewable and clean fuels in energy consumption continues to receive extensive attention [6]. Biomass fuels represented by ethanol show great potential in reducing diesel consumption and exhaust gas emission. Some even completely replace fossil fuels and are applied to diesel engines [7,8]
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