Combustion Control Research Articles

Key Technologies to 50% Brake Thermal Efficiency for Gasoline Engine of Passenger Car

Review Key Technologies to 50% Brake Thermal Efficiency for Gasoline Engine of Passenger Car Xinke Miao, Bingxin Xu, Jun Deng, and Liguang Li * School of Automotive Studies, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China * Correspondence: liguang@tongji.edu.cn Received: 13 August 2024; Revised: 6 December 2024; Accepted: 17 December 2024; Published: 20 January 2025 Abstract: As fuel consumption and emissions regulations become increasingly stringent, various advanced strategies have been proposed to achieve higher efficiency in internal combustion engines. This paper reviews the advancements in thermal efficiency of gasoline engines and analyzes the key technological methods to achieve over 50% brake thermal efficiency (BTE). The technological routes proposed for high-efficiency gasoline engine are primarily focused on high compression ratios and lean combustion combined with novel combustion technologies. Supporting technologies mainly include Atkinson/Miller cycles, intake boosting, exhaust gas re-circulation (EGR), water injection, thermal barrier coatings, friction reduction, structural optimization, and combustion diagnostics and control.

A review of chemical kinetic mechanisms and after-treatment of amino fuel combustion.

Ammonia is a highly promising carbon-neutral fuel. The use of ammonia as a fuel for internal combustion engines can reduce fossil energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the high ignition energy required for ammonia and the slow flame propagation rate result in low combustion efficiency when ammonia is used directly in internal combustion engines. The combination of ammonia with highly reactive fuels improves combustion quality and increases efficiency. However, the combustion of these combined fuels generates particulate matter, CO, hydrocarbon, and significant amounts of NOx. Therefore, pollutant emissions must be reduced through after-treatment technologies. In this paper, a series of combustion and post-treatment challenges faced by amino fuel combustion in internal combustion engines are extensively discussed and the combustion reaction mechanisms of different amino fuels are also analyzed. The paper then reviews five key technologies applicable to the reprocessing of amino fuels, including selective catalytic reduction, selective catalytic reduction filter technology, electrochemical methods for NOx removal, direct catalytic decomposition of N2O, and ammonia sliding catalysts. An in-depth discussion of the catalytic materials and reaction mechanisms involved in these technologies is also provided in this paper. Finally, the paper summarizes the main technical challenges that must be addressed for the future application of amino fuels in internal combustion engines. These discussions can serve as an essential reference for developing and applying critical technologies for combustion control and pollutant treatment of amino fuels.

Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition Engines for Enhanced Energy Efficiency and Reduced Emissions in Transportation and Power Generation

Rising emissions and pollution from traditional automotive engines, along with the increasing demand for more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies, have led to the development of "Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition" (HCCI) engines. Unlike conventional internal combustion engines, HCCI engines do not rely on spark plugs to initiate combustion. Instead, the air-fuel mixture auto-ignites through compression, resulting in a highly efficient thermal process. This technology significantly reduces HC (hydrocarbon) and CO (carbon monoxide) emissions, making it a promising solution for modern environmental and energy challenges. Despite these advantages, the widespread commercialization of HCCI engines has been hindered by several technical challenges. The lack of spark plugs complicates combustion control, particularly in maintaining consistent ignition timing. Additionally, cold starts remain a significant obstacle. This paper will explore the historical development and operating principles of HCCI engines, outline their advantages and limitations, and examine potential solutions to these challenges. Finally, the paper will discuss the application of HCCI technology in power generation, highlighting its future prospects and contributions to sustainable energy.

Prevention and Control of Spontaneous Combustion of Coal in the Goaf Under Z+I Ventilation Based on 2GN00 mining Process

ABSTRACT Traditional coal pillar mining technology will cause the waste of resources, and the roadway excavation. The N00 process eliminates the need for roadway excavation and coal pillar storage. The ventilation mode under the N00 construction method differs from conventional U-shaped ventilation. It is difficult to determine the danger area of spontaneous combustion. Therefore, this paper takes 21607 goaf with Z+I ventilation under the 2GN00 construction method in a mine in Guizhou province as the engineering background and adopts experimental research and numerical simulation methods to prevent and control coal spontaneous combustion hazards. Firstly, the spontaneous combustion tendency experiment determines the grade of spontaneous combustion tendency of coal samples. Secondly, the Fluent numerical simulation method is used to screen the optimal wind speed ratio of the two air inlets. Finally, numerical simulation is used to select the optimal spraying distance. The results show that the spontaneous combustion grade of coal samples makes it easy to produce spontaneous combustion. By analyzing the numerical simulation results of 6 groups of wind speed ratios, the best wind speed ratio of the two inlets is 1:1. Currently, the risk area of spontaneous combustion in the goaf is 5440.8 m2. Then the numerical simulation of the best slurry spraying distance is carried out with the wind speed ratio 1:1. The optimum distance of 90 m was finally determined. The area of the spontaneous combustion hazards area was reduced to 2223.8 m2. The results provide theoretical guidance and technical support for engineering applications.

Influence of Renewable Nano-Al2O3 on Engine Characteristics and Health Impact under Variable Injection Timings and Excess Air Coefficients.

Nano-Al2O3 derived from recyclable sources emerges as a promising sustainable solution for enhancing diesel engine efficiency while mitigating emissions. However, a lack of an in-depth understanding of the health hazard aspect still challenges its commercial applications. To this end, nano-Al2O3/diesel (NAD) blends prepared via ultrasonic homogenization were experimentally and analytically investigated under various injection timings and excess air coefficients to explore the potential of nano-Al2O3 for balancing energy performance and emissions. Results revealed a synergistic effect between the NAD blends and optimized combustion control strategies. NAD blends presented enhanced heat release and pressure rise rates even under late injection or hypoxic conditions, indicating a faster and more complete combustion. Specifically, NAD blends promoted the partially premixed combustion phase and reduced postcombustion duration. While a slight increase in fuel consumption and a decrease in thermal efficiency were observed, potentially due to minor chamber compatibility issues, a significant improvement in emissions was identified. NAD blends effectively mitigated the well-known soot-particulate number-nitrogen oxide (NOx) trade-off inherent in diesel engines. NAD blends achieved lower NOx emissions through the even temperature distribution promoted by nano-Al2O3, minimizing the formation of NOx precursors. Simultaneously, NAD blends contributed to a reduction in soot emissions as well as an increment in nucleation mode particles, which are smaller and more harmful than conventional engine-out particulates. Notably, deposition modes highlighted that a higher nano-Al2O3 addition leads to an increase in nucleation mode particles, resulting in a higher alveolar deposition (d p = 5-100 nm) and lower nasal deposition (d p = 200-800 nm). These findings suggest that, by optimizing injection timing and excess air coefficients, NAD blends offer a promising approach to enhance combustion and achieve cleaner emissions simultaneously, making them a valuable contribution to the development of more sustainable diesel engine technologies.

Combustion enhancement and control of modular charge by electrothermal plasma

Abstract Uni-modular charge has the advantages of easy automatic loading, fast loading speed, high safety and easy logistics support, which is the best choice for large calibre artillery charge. For uni-modular charge, the small number modular charge has some problems, such as ignition inequality, propellant combustion instability, and easy residue, which results in chamber pressure surge and low firing accuracy. Electrothermal plasma has the advantages of high temperature, high heat enthalpy and fast chamber diffusion, which is a feasible way to solve the problem of modular charge combustion. The key technologies such as plasma generator and high-power breech transmission have been studied, and the large calibre modular charge electrothermal chemical launch system has been established. Electrothermal chemical launch test was conducted. It is verified that electrothermal plasma can significantly enhance the firing performance of the small number modular charge.

Eco-optimized experimental and computational analysis of coarse wood chips fluidization aerodynamics in bed reactors

In this study, computational particle fluid dynamics (CPFD) simulations optimized the aerodynamic properties of wood chips which are a key biomass fuel for sustainable power generation by the addressing of challenges in fluidization. Using both fixed and bubbling fluidized beds, the study focused on particle adhesion and agglomeration, which cause channeling and voids, thus reducing gas-particle contact. Additionally, solid bridges or agglomerates from uneven bed distribution were shown to decrease fluidization efficiency and heat transfer. Coarse particles (2–2.5 mm) were selected to establish the optimal operational range for effective fluidization. Reducing particle aggregation and adhesion through collisions promoted a uniform distribution, enhanced thermal energy storage and stabilizing bed temperature, and benefited in combustion control in green chemical engineering applications. The commercial CPFD software Barracuda was used for simulations at an inlet pressure of 300 Pa above atmospheric and an atmospheric outlet pressure. These simulations provided good insight into wood chip fluidization behavior by the establishment of operating parameters for fluidized bed reactors and were validated using a lab-scale model with consistent parameters. This study concludes that wood chip fluidization can be represented in distinct operating zones and clarifies optimal design considerations for reactors suited to biomass combustion. These findings significantly advance the understanding of wood chip aerodynamics by giving a sustainable fuel option for efficient thermal energy production.

A novel control strategy for DDF/PPCI combustion mode in a diesel micro-pilot ignited dual-fuel engine

The target of this paper is to study two combustion control strategies, partial premixed compression ignition (PPCI) and dual fuel combustion (DDF), to solve the problems of low efficiency and high emissions of micro-ignition dual fuel engines. Firstly, the effects of different control parameters on engine performance and emissions in two combustion modes were studied. Then, the encoder-decoder convolutional neural network-gated recurrent unit (ED CNN-GRU) is used for the first time to establish a predictive regression model between the operating parameters and performance of the diesel micro-ignition dual-fuel engine. Finally, NSGA III is used to drive ED CNN-GRU to perform multi-objective optimization of engine performance. The results show that under 75 % load, the predicted results of the model and test results show that the corresponding THC emissions in the PPCI combustion mode are 50.65 % and 53.18 % lower than those in the DDF combustion mode, the corresponding CO emissions in the PPCI combustion mode are 69.05 % and 70.26 % lower than those in the DDF combustion mode respectively. The prediction results of the model and the test results meet the Tier III emission regulations, and the emission is minimized while taking into account the economy. Under the propulsion characteristics, PPCI combustion mode is selected for 0–75 % load, and DDF combustion mode is selected for more than 75 % load. The control strategy of micro ignition dual fuel engine can effectively promote the development of micro ignition dual fuel engine in the field of marine engine.

Study on the influence of advancing speed on the dynamic distribution laws of spontaneous combustion hazard zones and high-temperature points in goaf areas

Spontaneous combustion of coal occurs when arising from a combination of factors, including oxidation and heating of residual coal in goaf and favorable heat retention conditions, and the spontaneous combustion hazard zones and high-temperature points formed exhibit dynamic, concealed, and three-dimensional characteristics, further complicating the on-site prevention and control of coal spontaneous combustion. Therefore, it is particularly important to study the dynamic evolution of coal spontaneous combustion (CSC) hazard areas in the goaf during the working face advancement process. With 010803 working face of Wang Wa Coal Mine for reference, the paper develops a three-dimensional Multiphysics coupling model of the goaf through field tests, laboratory experiments, and numerical simulations. For the first time, three-dimensional dynamic mesh technology is employed to investigate the spatial dynamic variation laws of spontaneous combustion hazard zones in goaf areas under advancing speeds ranging from 2 to 8 m/day. The results indicate that the relative error between simulated leakage airflow and field measurements is 1.4 %. As the advancing speed of the working face increases, the oxidation zone in the goaf shifts deeper, and its area increases linearly, though the rate of increase gradually decreases. With higher advancing speeds, the temperature of the high-temperature points in the goaf decreases, and the distances of these points from the lower corner of the working face grow exponentially in both strike and dip directions. However, the high-temperature points remain within the oxidation zone, with their strike migration ranging from 86.3 to 149 m and dip migration from 44 to 51 m. Based on this analysis, a spatial distribution function for high-temperature points in goaf areas is proposed. This study provides theoretical support for preventing and controlling coal spontaneous combustion in goaf areas.

Simulation Study on the Stabilization Control Performance of Low-Calorific-Value Waste Combustion in Waste Incinerators.

To address the instability of low-calorific-value waste incineration processes and suppress the generation of toxic dioxins, this study examines a 600 t/day waste incineration furnace as a case study. Numerical simulations of the incineration process were conducted by using bed calculation software FLIC and Fluent. A waste incineration cleanliness index was defined, and the impact of the reduced calorific value of the incoming waste on the temperature distribution within the incineration furnace was explored. The effectiveness of biomass steady combustion was compared to that of natural gas steady combustion, leading to the development of a control model for biomass steady combustion of low-calorific-value waste. The results indicate that a decrease in the calorific value of incoming waste reduces the cleanliness index; when the calorific value is 4739 kJ/kg, the cleanliness index drops to 0.96. The residence time of flue gas in the high-temperature zone of the first flue duct is less than 2 s, which is insufficient to effectively suppress dioxin formation. Therefore, steady combustion control measures are necessary. Both biomass and natural gas steady combustion can effectively increase the temperature of the incineration furnace; however, biomass, as a carbon-free energy source, significantly reduces carbon emissions compared with natural gas. A biomass-mixed control model for steady combustion of low-calorific-value waste was constructed and validated, achieving precise residence times in the high-temperature zones of 2.18 and 2.11 s, both exceeding 2 s, thereby achieving the desired control effect.

Intelligent control system and operational performance optimization of a municipal solid waste incineration power plant

This study proposed an integrated intelligent control system in one municipal solid waste incineration power plant to improve the system's control accuracy, economic performance and environmental impact, including the intelligent combustion, intelligent denitrification, intelligent desulfurization and intelligent soot-blowing control subsystems. The precise detection and adjustment of the key operational parameters was achieved by integrating these modules into the existing distributed control system. A comparative analysis of the operation data between pre-optimization and post-optimization states was conducted to assess the changes in the key operational and economic parameters. The results indicate that the introduction of the intelligent control module can significantly improve the system stability and parameter control accuracy, thereby enhancing the economic efficiency of the waste incineration power plant and reducing the operation workload and the pollutants emissions. Specifically, the standard deviations of main steam flowrate and pressure decreased by 45.1 % and 60.7 %, respectively. Furthermore, the consumptions of the ammonia water and lime slurry were reduced by 38.2 % and 23.2 %, respectively, while the auxiliary power consumption rate declined by two percentage points, and the power generation per ton of waste increased by 4.2 %. These improvements not only strengthen the economic benefits but also effectively reduce the pollutants emissions.

Exploring Hydrogen–Diesel Dual Fuel Combustion in a Light-Duty Engine: A Numerical Investigation

Dual fuel combustion has gained attention as a cost-effective solution for reducing the pollutant emissions of internal combustion engines. The typical approach is combining a conventional high-reactivity fossil fuel (diesel fuel) with a sustainable low-reactivity fuel, such as bio-methane, ethanol, or green hydrogen. The last one is particularly interesting, as in theory it produces only water and NOx when it burns. However, integrating hydrogen into stock diesel engines is far from trivial due to a number of theoretical and practical challenges, mainly related to the control of combustion at different loads and speeds. The use of 3D-CFD simulation, supported by experimental data, appears to be the most effective way to address these issues. This study investigates the hydrogen-diesel dual fuel concept implemented with minimum modifications in a light-duty diesel engine (2.8 L, 4-cylinder, direct injection with common rail), considering two operating points representing typical partial and full load conditions for a light commercial vehicle or an industrial engine. The numerical analysis explores the effects of progressively replacing diesel fuel with hydrogen, up to 80% of the total energy input. The goal is to assess how this substitution affects engine performance and combustion characteristics. The results show that a moderate hydrogen substitution improves brake thermal efficiency, while higher substitution rates present quite a severe challenge. To address these issues, the diesel fuel injection strategy is optimized under dual fuel operation. The research findings are promising, but they also indicate that further investigations are needed at high hydrogen substitution rates in order to exploit the potential of the concept.

A novel extraction method for combustion feature of CI engine in electric hybrid power based on engine instantaneous speed

Hybrid power systems represent a crucial avenue for the advancement of vehicle power, offering a novel framework and context for the intelligent evolution of internal combustion engines. The governance of internal combustion engines stands as the cornerstone of power intelligence, with in-cylinder combustion control serving as a pivotal research focus within the realm of internal combustion engine regulation. The accurate assessment of cylinder state in hybrid power systems forms the foundation for effective in-cylinder combustion control. This paper introduces an approach to extract cylinder combustion state (cylinder work and CA50) based on instantaneous speed signals. First, the instantaneous speed signal undergoes processing using synthetic speed algorithms, followed by an evaluation of algorithm effectiveness. Subsequently, the theoretical derivation of the relationship between synthesized speed signals and cylinder state is established based on conservation of energy principles, leading to a method for extracting cylinder state. Finally, experimental validation is conducted at 270 steady-state operating points (varied speeds and load ratios) and 2 dynamic processes to verify prediction accuracy using the proposed method. The results demonstrate precise prediction capabilities for both cylinder work and CA50, with prediction errors falling within ≤10 % for CA50 and ≤9 % for cylinder work; moreover, 97 % of steady-state operating points exhibit error ranges within 5 % or less and the average error of dynamic process is 5 %.

Impact of furnace and waste layer control on HCl and SO2 in combustion gas from a grate-fired Waste-to-Energy boiler

In Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants, combustion gas containing HCl and SO2 typically provokes boiler fouling and corrosion, and large consumption of chemicals to meet legal emission standards. HCl and SO2 concentrations in the combustion gas obviously depend on the Cl/S ratio in the incoming waste. However, industrial WtE experiences indicate that conditions established by process control also impact the generation of HCl and SO2 during grate combustion. The latter is studied in the present work through in-depth analysis of industrial WtE process data spanning four years of plant operation. To the authors' knowledge, a similar study was never conducted before. The results suggest that HCl in the combustion gas is strongly influenced by the overall air-to-waste ratio imposed to the (entire) furnace. Findings regarding SO2 rather highlight the significance of conditions established in the waste layer on the grate, i.e., layer thickness and flow rate of primary air. The extent of moisture in the waste seems to enhance these patterns. Whereas state-of-the-art combustion control in WtE plants still only targets the stability of thermal production, the results from this study support a further extension of the control scope with (inorganic-)thermochemical intelligence for boiler corrosion prevention and emissions stabilization.

Investigation on spontaneous fires regions in coal gangue hills using UAV thermal infrared images

ABSTRACT The spontaneous combustion of coal gangue hills is accompanied by the release of toxic gases and the infiltration of metal elements, posing a serious threat to the global ecological environment. The current temperature monitoring methods for coal gangue hills have certain limitations, hence advanced and timely temperature monitoring is crucial for the management of coal gangue hills. This paper takes Guojiahe coal gangue hill as an example, thousands of visible light and thermal infrared images are obtained by using an unmanned aerial vehicle, and the 3-D model of the surface temperature of the gangue hill is established with Gaussian kernel technique and Random Sampling Consensus Method (RANSAC). Furthermore, the high-temperature zone in the gangue hill is measured by handheld thermocouples. The results indicate that high-temperature areas are distributed in a circular pattern and mostly concentrated on the slope surface and the boundary line between the slope and the bench. The thermal images can reflect the temperature inside the gangue hill by comparing the results of thermocouple temperature measurement and UAV detection. Further, it is analyzed that the air leakage cracks formed on the slope of the gangue hill provide a channel for the combination of coal gangue and oxygen, accelerating the heat accumulation, and the three-field coupling mechanism of coal gangue spontaneous combustion is proposed. This study can provide technical and methodological support for the prevention and control of spontaneous combustion in coal gangue hills.

Experimental study on droplet dynamics behavior and combustion characteristics of high performance green propellant in electrical ignition mode

High performance green propellant represented by ammonium dinitramide-based liquid propellant and its new ignition method are the research hotspots of space propulsion in the 21st century. Exploring the complex multi-scale physical properties of multi-component ammonium dinitramide-based liquid propellant droplets in the electrical ignition mode has wide application significance for spray, propulsion system design and combustion control. The droplet dynamics behavior and combustion characteristics of propellant droplets at different ignition voltages were studied experimentally. The droplet dynamics behavior during the evaporation process, including violent volume oscillation, approximate steady-state expansion, contraction, secondary expansion, puffing and micro-explosion, have been determined by the generation, growth, and discharge of vapor bubbles. In the initial evaporation process, the heterogeneous nucleation is dominant. As the droplet is continuously heated, homogenization nucleation gradually dominates. The main physical and chemical mechanisms of bubble evolution driven by temperature involve methanol boiling, water overheating, ammonium dinitramide decomposition and combustion reaction between vapor molecules. Increasing the ignition voltage increases the droplet dynamics behavior and the combustion, but promotes the combustion instability. Increasing the ignition voltage increases the ignition delay time, puffing delay time, droplet lifetime, maximum temperature of droplet, and reduces the ignition critical diameter. It is proposed that the method of suppressing the droplet breakup dynamics at decomposition area and enhancing the droplet breakup dynamics at the combustion area are conducive to the combustion control of the thruster in electrical ignition mode. This research provides novel insight into the study of the electrical ignition mechanism of liquid fuels.

The combustion biased dual cross-limited control strategy for industrial boiler furnaces

Abstract The combustion process in boilers is a crucial aspect of industrial boiler operation, and the quality of this process is closely related to the industrial boiler’s operational efficiency and pollutant emissions. This paper focuses on furnace combustion control within the industrial boiler control system and proposes an improved variable bias control method to address the issues associated with over-oxygen and oxygen-deficient combustion, which are prevalent in current double-closed-loop cascade proportional control technologies. First, the working principle of the variable bias double cross-limit combustion process is analyzed, and the variable bias cross-limit combustion control system is designed. Second, by introducing a bias variable, the paper addresses the problem that fixed bias parameters in the double cross-limit control system cannot accommodate the variable loading and rapid response requirements. Finally, the range of bias coefficients is estimated using the trial-and-error method. Experimental results demonstrate that the variable bias double cross-limit control strategy resolves the issues of oxygen deficiency and over-oxygen combustion, along with the slow response speed of conventional combustion control modes, enhances fuel heat utilization efficiency, and reduces pollutant and harmful gas emissions.

Particle swarm optimisation of variable offset dual cross-limit combustion control strategies for the industrial boiler combustion

Abstract This paper proposes an optimal control method for industrial boilers using particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithms to enhance the variable offset control technique. The method targets challenges such as suboptimal combustion air coefficients and prolonged system steam pressure stabilisation time during boiler production processes. By optimising the offset function and parameters in the variable offset dual cross-limit combustion control scheme, this paper aims to refine the combustion control model. Experimental results indicate that this improved PSO-based approach successfully maintains flue gas oxygen content within optimal combustion ranges under variable load conditions. These results ensure higher combustion efficiency and contribute to the reduction of environmental pollution, thus verifying the effectiveness of the optimised control system in practical applications.

Simultaneous measurement of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide for combustion diagnosis using 2 μm laser absorption spectroscopy

AbstractCarbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are products of incomplete combustion and complete combustion, respectively. Time‐resolved knowledge of CO and CO2 exhaust concentrations will aid in improving combustion strategies, control, and efficiency. To achieve online high‐precision simultaneous measurement of CO and CO2, a tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy‐based sensor is designed and constructed. Two diode lasers with central wavelengths of 2.3 and 2.0 μm are multiplexed in time‐division to cover the absorption spectral lines of CO at 4285.00 cm−1 and CO2 at 4989.96 cm−1, respectively. Wavelength modulation spectroscopy with second harmonic detection normalized by the first harmonic (WMS‐2f/1f) is employed. A software lock‐in amplifier and inversion algorithm are implemented for data processing and concentration acquisition. The entire measurement system is based on the idea of a virtual instrument and is carried out using a high‐speed data acquisition card and a computer. Experimental verification demonstrates that the measurement accuracies of CO and CO2 were 2.47% and 2.56%, respectively, with a time resolution of 20 ms. Dynamic measurement experiments with an alcohol blast burner validate the feasibility of measuring CO and CO2 in actual combustion environments. The developed sensor demonstrates the potential for real‐time and in situ carbon emission measurement for combustion diagnosis.

Emission control in a dual fuel low temperature combustion engine at intermediate loads

Intermediate to high load operation in dual fuel reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) techniques is restricted due to uncontrolled combustion that causes engine knocking. Dual fuel strategies with advanced pilot injection and near-top dead center (TDC) main injection timings are reported to enhance combustion control, albeit with increased soot emissions, reduction of thermal efficiency, and emergence of an intricate trade-off between total hydrocarbon (THC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions. In order to address these conflicting issues, an intermediate engine load, corresponding to 6 bar gross indicated mean effective pressure at 1500 and 2200 rev/min engine speeds was investigated in this work. The main objectives of this work are (1) to obtain combination of control parameters to achieve near-zero engine-out NOx and soot emissions and high thermal efficiency while minimizing THC and CO emissions; (2) to understand the effectiveness of diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) for the oxidation and reduction of exhaust gas species in the dual fuel mode; and (3) to understand the oxidation characteristics of the soot generated from the dual fuel mode. Optimum dual fuel low temperature combustion strategies, in terms of diesel injection timings, quantity and exhaust gas recirculation levels, were identified using the statistical multi response signal to noise (MRSN) ratio method in which NOx, soot and indicated efficiency were response variables. The performance of commercial DOCs, with different precious metal (Pt and/or Pd) loadings, were also studied at optimum dual fuel strategies for gasoline-diesel dual fuel operations. High DOC outlet temperatures (>∼340°C), due to the exotherm generated by the oxidation of high concentrations of THC and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from dual fuel operations, resulted in greater than 90% THC conversion efficiency. The exotherm decreased the nitric oxide (NO) oxidation whereas the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) reduction reactions were favored over the DOC in the dual fuel mode at the intermediate load operating condition. Thermogravimetric analysis of the soot showed higher activation energy (177.2 kJ/mol), formed at the dual fuel optimum condition, relative to the activation energy (162.7 kJ/mol) of the soot formed in conventional diesel combustion (CDC).