Experimentally investigating the influence of biodiesel blend (Bio20) injection instead of diesel in methanol dual-fuel HCCI engine performance

ABSTRACT

This paper aims to examine the effect of a biodiesel blend (Bio20) substitute for diesel on methanol dual-fuel HCCI engine performance. In this work, the existing CI engine is modified into a dual-fuel HCCI engine by attaching the carburetor to the inlet manifold for the supply of methanol. Fuel Jet No. 60 in the carburetor was used to provide a predetermined amount of methanol fuel. The mixture of methanol and air is ignited by diesel/Bio20 injection at the end of the compression stroke. Experimental results showed that methanol with diesel increased ignition delay (ID) and reduced NO_X. However, HC, smoke opacity and CO emissions increased drastically compared to a conventional diesel engine. Conversely, methanol with Bio20 reduced ID and promoted combustion helping to reduce smoke opacity, HC and CO emissions. In terms of brake thermal efficiency (BTE) Bio20 instead of diesel gave better performance for a methanol dual-fuel HCCI engine.

KEYWORDS:

• Advance combustion strategy
• alcohol-based fuels
• biodiesel blend
• HCCI engine
• premixed ratio

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank TEQIP-II and the centre of excellence, NIT Warangal, for providing an engine testing facility and TEQIP III for funding the procurement of consumables.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).