Abstract
The alternative fuel selection in the existing compression ignition engine without major modification is a great challenge. The diesel engines are more compatible because of the wide compression ratio and can operate even at a lean mixture as compared with spark ignition engines. In the present work, the calcium carbide is directly added to the water in the acetylene generator, and the acetylene gas is simultaneously produced and supplied to the engine intake along with the air and diesel injected in a conventional method. The low pressure acetylene gas is used to investigate the performance and emission parameters in the existing engine with some extra accessories and compared with only diesel operation. The peak pressure and heat release rate are higher and show an increasing trend, and the average brake thermal efficiency is 11.74% higher than pure diesel efficiency. In contrast, the emissions such as CO, HC and PM are lowered by 12% and 12.8% and 26.6% at 50% load, respectively.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).