Feasibility and performance study of turpentine fueled DI diesel engine operated under HCCI combustion mode

Abstract

In the present investigation a volatile fraction of Pinus resin called Turpentine has been experimented in a direct injection diesel engine under HCCI combustion mode. The engine chosen to experiment is a single cylinder DI diesel engine and modified in such a way to ignite Turpentine in a diesel engine under HCCI mode. As the Turpentine has a higher self ignition temperature the ignition of Turpentine in regular diesel engines with auto-ignition is not possible. Hence, suitable modification is made in the engine to ignite Turpentine in a diesel engine like diesel fuel. The modified engine has ECM controlled fuel spray and an air preheater in the suction side of the engine. The combined effort of adiabatic compression and supply of preheated air ignites turpentine by auto-ignition and its timing of ignition is precisely controlled by changing intake air temperature. This investigation revealed that the engine operated with turpentine performed well with little loss of brake thermal efficiency. And, emitted comparatively lower emissions such as NOx and smoke and proved that the turpentine is a best suited fuel for HCCI operation.