Ultra-low soot/ particulate emissions from a dimethyl ether-fueled agricultural tractor engine

Abstract

This study eveluates using dimethyl ether (DME) fuelled engine for marching towards zero soot and particulate matter (PM) emissions in the agricultural sector. Comparative emissions and particulate characteristics were analysed for a customised DME-fuelled engine and an unmodified baseline diesel engine. The experimental investigations were performed on a multi-cylinder tractor engine using a dedicated DME fuel injection equipment (FIE) and an unmodified diesel FIE. Regulated emissions, namely carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), smoke opacity, and particulates were measured at three engine speeds (1200, 1600 and 2000 rpm) and five loads (1.29, 2.59, 3.88, 5.18, and 6.47 bar BMEP). The static fuel injection timing for both test fuels was maintained constant; however, the actual injection timing could be slightly different for both test fuels because of their different physicochemical properties. DME-fuelled engine exhibited relatively higher HC and CO emissions than diesel at low loads; however, both test fuels exhibited nearly identical emissions at higher loads. NOx emissions were lower for DME-fuelled engine than baseline diesel, and its smoke opacity was also negligible at all engine loads and speeds. The particulate number concentration for DME-fuelled engines was much lower than baseline diesel at all test conditions, except 1.29 bar BMEP. Particulate emissions from DME-fuelled engine were mainly in the form of nanoparticles and nucleation mode particles, with negligible numbers of accumulation mode particles. This experimental study demonstrated that DME-fuelling of the tractor engine reduced emissions and it can be used as a sustainable and greener fuel to develop cleaner engines for agriculture/ transport sectors.