DME-fueled Engine Research Articles

Technical Feasibility of Dimethyl Ether-Fueled Mechanical Fuel Injection System-Equipped Multicylinder Compression Ignition Engine

Abstract This experimental study evaluated the combustion and performance characteristics of a 100% dimethyl ether (DME)-fueled multicylinder compression ignition engine equipped with a customized mechanical fuel injection system. The engine operating envelope covered different engine loads and speeds. The effect of DME's physicochemical properties, such as density, compressibility, and latent heat of vaporization, on the engine combustion and performance characteristics was analyzed under varying engine loads and speeds. The DME-fueled engine exhibited an average of >8% higher brake thermal efficiency than the baseline diesel-fueled engine. DME's lower brake-specific energy consumption indicated that the DME-fueled engine efficiently converted fuel's chemical energy into mechanical energy compared to the baseline diesel-fueled engine. The in-cylinder pressure of DME was higher than that of the mineral diesel engine at low loads and lower at higher engine loads. DME engine exhibited extensive and reliable operating range and consistent performance. The mixing-controlled phase dominated the DME combustion. DME's higher compressibility led to a few distinct effects with respect to baseline diesel: (1) lower fuel line pressure in high-pressure fuel lines, (2) higher residual pressure oscillations due to higher compression energy stored in the high-pressure fuel lines, and (3) retarded actual injection timing. The variations in the engine speed showed a similar effect on DME's combustion and performance characteristics as baseline diesel. The DME-fueled engine's lower in-cylinder pressure, lower rate of initial pressure rise, and lower exhaust gas temperature indicate a lower heat rejection engine, delivering higher thermal efficiency.

Dimethyl ether fuel injection system development for a compression ignition engine for increasing the thermal efficiency and reducing emissions

In this study, a dedicated fuel injection equipment (FIE) for a 100% dimethyl ether (DME)-fueled three-cylinder engine was developed. DME has a cetane number (>55) higher than baseline diesel (40–50), making it a promising compression ignition (CI) engine fuel. However, some physicochemical properties of DME, namely lubricity, viscosity, density, calorific value, vapour pressure, incompatibility with elastomers, etc., necessitate modifications in the existing FIE to deliver a power output equivalent to baseline diesel fuelled engine. Modifications included customized DME storage tanks, supply lines, return lines, and a pneumatic pre-supply feed pump. In addition, a customized high-pressure pump (HPP) (inline mechanical pump) and a set of modified injectors with larger nozzle hole diameters were used for the DME engine. The engine speed was varied from 1000 to 2000 rpm, and off-road operating conditions were simulated using a non-road steady cycle (NRSC). A detailed evaluation of the FIE for its comparative combustion, performance, and emissions characteristics of DME was conducted vis-à-vis baseline diesel. The DME-fuelled engine showed an increase of ∼4.7% in brake thermal efficiency (BTE) under full load conditions and an increase of ∼8.32% BTE under simulated non-road-testing conditions. In addition, the DME-fuelled engine exhibited no visible smoke and negligible soot in the engine exhaust. DME combustion reduced HC emissions by ∼50% at low and medium engine speeds, and a ∼100% reduction was seen at higher engine speeds compared to baseline diesel engine. The CO emission decreased by ∼90%, and the CO2 emissions were ∼15% lower for DME. Lower exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and lower heat release rate (HRR) during premixed combustion indicated that DME-fuelled engine acted as a low heat rejection (LHR) engine. This study demonstrated a 100% DME-fueled engine with a customized FIE, delivering higher thermal efficiency and lower emissions than conventional diesel engines for on- and off-road applications.

Cyclic Combustion Variability of Dimethyl-Ether-Fueled Agricultural Tractor Engine

Abstract Combustion in dimethyl-ether (DME)-fueled engines needs to be assessed carefully for its widespread acceptability from a drivability viewpoint. Since the test engine used in an off-highway segment, it was tested in a steady-state cycle for engine performance, combustion, emissions, and their cyclic variations, which were the only parameters to assess the drivability. This study investigated and analyzed the cyclic variations of a 100% DME-fueled engine equipped with modified mechanical fuel injection equipment. It was compared with baseline diesel to understand its positive and negative aspects. Experiments were conducted at different engine speeds (1200,1600, and 2000 rpm) and loads (No Load, 1.29, 2.59, 3.88, 5.18, and 6.47 bar brake mean effective pressure (BMEP)) . In-cylinder pressure was recorded for 250 consecutive engine cycles, and many combustion parameters were comparatively analyzed for diesel and DME fuelings. The coefficient of variation (COV) of maximum in-cylinder pressure (Pmax) was lower for DME than diesel at 1600 rpm and comparable at the other remaining engine speeds (1200 and 2000 rpm). Variations in COV of Pmax were higher at low loads and negligible at high loads for both test fuels. At 2000 rpm, the crank angle positions at which Pmax occurred were distributed in a narrow range for DME, representing higher combustion stability than baseline diesel. Variations in the maximum rate of pressure rise (RoPRmax) were lower for DME at 3.88 and 6.47 bar BMEP, while these were higher at 1.29 bar BMEP than baseline diesel. COV of indicated mean effective pressure (COVIMEP) decreased from lower to higher loads for diesel and DME fueling at 1600 and 2000 rpm engine speeds. The differences in COVIMEP between diesel and DME were negligible at higher loads, representing engine stability similar to baseline diesel. Combustion parameters assessed indicated that DME fueling led to lower cyclic variations than baseline diesel as the engine operated from lower to higher loads. At lower loads, DME fueling showed higher cyclic variations than baseline diesel.

Numerical estimation of exhaust gas fuel reforming of DME fueled engine

Numerical estimation of exhaust gas fuel reforming of DME fueled engine

Effect of Multiple Injection Strategies on the Emission Characteristics of Dimethyl Ether (DME)-Fueled Compression Ignition Engine

An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of multiple injection strategies on the performance of DME-fueled engine and the reduction of exhaust emissions. In this work, three types of multiple injection strategiesincluding split injection, pilot injection, and partial premixed charge compression ignition (PPCCI)are introduced, and the results are compared with those obtained by single injection under optimal operating conditions. To analyze the injection characteristics of dimethyl ether (DME) fuel, the injection rate profiles for multiple injections were investigated, in terms of their energizing current and injection rate. The result of an engine test reveals that multiple injection strategies of split and pilot injection showed a reduction in NOx emissions of ∼75% with a minor reduction in the indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP). PPCCI combustion offered a reduction in NOx emissions of ∼97.1%, whereas the IMEP was reduced by 23%. Under all operating conditions, no measureable soot emission was observed in the DME engine.