AbstractIn consideration of the multiple split injection, heavy exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) atmosphere, high latent heat of vaporization of dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and low cetane number, the combustion variations of both diesel and D10 (a fuel blend of 10% of DMC in diesel) have been investigated with characteristic parameters of indicated mean effective pressure pmi, peak pressure pmax, and initial 10% combustion duration θd. Results show that the cyclical coefficients of variation (COVs) of three characteristic parameters are lower than 2%. This means good combustion quality thanks to the precise control of fuel injection. The COVs for diesel are much smaller than those for D10 fuel. The COVs of pmi, pmax, and θd rise with a declining center of heat release (COHR), while the COVs show visible growth with the increase in EGR rate. The anticipation of possible combustion instability due to pilot injections did not happen. Both pmax and θd have good corresponding relations with pmi. The pmi positivel...