The performance and emission characteristics of emulsified fuel in a direct injection diesel engine

Abstract

Diesel engines are employed as the major propulsion power sources because of their simple, robust structure and high fuel economy. It is expected that diesel engines will be widely used in the foreseeable future. However, an increase in the use of diesel engines causes a shortage of fossil fuel and results in a greater degree of pollution. To regulate the above, identifying an alternative fuel to the diesel engine with less pollution is essential. Ethanol–diesel emulsion is one such method, used for the preparation of an alternative fuel for the diesel engine. Experimental investigations were carried out to compare the performance of diesel fuel with different ratios 50D: 50E (50 per cent diesel No: 2: 50 per cent ethanol –100 per cent proof) and 60D: 40E emulsified fuels. In the next phase, experiments were conducted for the selected emulsified fuel ratio 50D: 50E for different high injection pressures and the results are compared. The results show that for the emulsified fuel ratios, there is a marginal increase in torque, power, NO x, emissions, and decreasing values of carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions at the maximum speed conditions, compared with diesel fuel. Also, it is found that an increase in injection pressure of the engine running with emulsified fuel decreases CO and smoke emissions especially between 1500 to 2000 r/min with respect to the diesel fuel.