Performance, Combustion and Emission Characteristics of a Diesel Engine Fueled with Polyoxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers (PODE3-4)/ Diesel Blends

Abstract

Polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (PODEn) have high oxygen content, cetane number and solubility in diesel fuel. In this work, pure diesel and PODE3-4/diesel blends with 10-20% PODE3-4 by volume were tested in a light-duty (LD)direct injection diesel engine without any modifications on the engine fuel supply system. Engine performance, combustion and emission characteristics were compared at various loads. The results show that PODE3-4/diesel blends improve engine efficiency and reduce engine-out emissions significantly, especially soot emissions. The ESC test cycle in a six-cylinder heavy-duty (HD) production diesel engine fuelled with pure diesel and 20% PODE3-4 was also conducted and similar results were achieved. It is proved that PODE3-4, of which the mass production has been achieved recently, is a promising blending component for diesel fuel.