Performance and combustion characteristics of a DI diesel engine fueled with waste palm oil and canola oil methyl esters

This study discusses the performance and combustion characteristics of a direct injection (DI) diesel engine fueled with biodiesels such as waste (frying) palm oil methyl ester (WPOME) and canola oil methyl ester (COME). In order to determine the performance and combustion characteristics, the experiments were conducted at the constant engine speed mode (1500 rpm) under the full load condition of the engine. The results indicated that when the test engine was fueled with WPOME or COME, the engine performance slightly weakened; the combustion characteristics slightly changed when compared to petroleum based diesel fuel (PBDF). The biodiesels caused reductions in carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emissions and smoke opacity, but they caused to increases in nitrogen oxides (NO_x) emissions.     

Effects of ethyl tert-butyl ether addition to diesel fuel on characteristics of combustion and exhaust emissions of diesel engines

The effects of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) addition to diesel fuel on the characteristics of combustion and exhaust emissions of a common rail direct injection diesel engine with high rates of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) were investigated. Test fuels were prepared by blending 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 vol% ETBE to a commercial diesel fuel. Increasing ETBE fraction in the fuel helps to suppress the smoke emission increasing with EGR, but a too high fraction of ETBE leads to misfiring at higher EGR rates. While the combustion noise and NO_x emissions increase with increases in ETBE fraction at relatively low EGR rates, they can be suppressed to low levels by increasing EGR. Though there are no significant increases in THC and CO emissions due to ETBE addition to diesel fuel in a wide range of EGR rates, the ETBE blended fuel results in higher aldehyde emissions than the pure diesel fuel at relatively low EGR rates. With the 30% ETBE blended fuel, the operating load range of smokeless, ultra-low NO_x (<0.5 g/kWi h), and efficient diesel combustion with high rates of cooled EGR is extended to higher loads than with the pure diesel fuel.     

Diesel engine performance and emission characteristics of biodiesel produced by the peroxidation process

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that is cleaner than petrodiesel. Biodiesel can be used directly as fuel for a diesel engine without having to modify the engine system. It has the major advantages of having high biodegradability, excellent lubricity and no sulfur content. In this study, the biodiesel produced by a transesterification technique was further reacted by using a peroxidation process. Four types of diesel fuel, biodiesel with and without an additional peroxidation process, a commercial biodiesel and ASTM No. 2D diesel were compared for their fuel properties, engine performance and emission characteristics. The experimental results show that the fuel consumption rate, brake thermal efficiency, equivalence ratio, and exhaust gas temperature increased while the bsfc, emission indices of CO₂, CO and NO_x decreased with an increase of engine speed. The three biodiesels showed a higher fuel consumption rate, bsfc, and brake thermal efficiency, while at the same time exhibited lower emission indices of CO and CO₂ as well as a lower exhaust gas temperature when compared to ASTM No. 2D diesel. Moreover, the biodiesel produced with the additional peroxidation process was found to have an oxygen content, weight proportion of saturated carbon bonds, fuel consumption rate, and bsfc that were higher than the biodiesel produced without the additional process; while at the same time the brake thermal efficiency, equivalence ratio, and emission indices of CO₂, CO and NO_x were found to be lower. In particular, biodiesel produced with the addition of the peroxidation process had the lowest equivalence ratio and emission indices of CO₂, CO and NO_x among all of the four test fuels. Therefore, the peroxidation process can be used to effectively improve the fuel properties and reduce emissions when biodiesel is used.     

Experimental investigation and mathematical modelling of wood combustion in a moving grate boiler

The use of biomass to generate energy offers significant environmental advantages for the reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases. The main objective of this study was to investigate the performance of a small scale biomass heating plant: i.e. combustion characteristics and emissions. An extensive series of experimental tests was carried out at a small scale residential biomass heating plant i.e. wood chip fired boiler. The concentrations of CO, NO_x, particulate matter in the flue gas were measured. In addition, mathematical modelling work using FLIC and FLUENT codes was carried out in order to simulate the overall performance of the wood fired heating system. Results showed that pollutant emissions from the boiler were within the relative emission limits. Mass concentration of CO emission was 550-1600 mg/m³ (10% O₂). NO_x concentration in the flue gas from the wood chips combustion varied slightly between 28 and 60 ppmv. Mass concentration of PM₁₀ in the flue gas was 205 mg/m³ (10% O₂) The modelling results showed that most of the fuel was burnt inside the furnace and little CO was released from the system due to the high flue gas temperature in the furnace. The injection of the secondary air provided adequate mixing and favourable combustion conditions in the over-bed chamber in the wood chips fired boiler. This study has shown that the use of wood heating system result in much lower CO₂ emissions than from a fossil fuel e.g. coal fired heating system.     

Diesel and rapeseed methyl ester (RME) pilot fuels for hydrogen and natural gas dual-fuel combustion in compression-ignition engines

This paper presents experimental results of rapeseed methyl ester (RME) and diesel fuel used separately as pilot fuels for dual-fuel compression-ignition (CI) engine operation with hydrogen gas and natural gas (the two gaseous fuels are tested separately). During hydrogen dual-fuel operation with both pilot fuels, thermal efficiencies are generally maintained. Hydrogen dual-fuel CI engine operation with both pilot fuels increases NO_x emissions, while smoke, unburnt HC and CO levels remain relatively unchanged compared with normal CI engine operation. During hydrogen dual-fuel operation with both pilot fuels, high flame propagation speeds in addition to slightly increased ignition delay result in higher pressure-rise rates, increased emissions of NO_x and peak pressure values compared with normal CI engine operation. During natural gas dual-fuel operation with both pilot fuels, comparatively higher unburnt HC and CO emissions are recorded compared with normal CI engine operation at low and intermediate engine loads which are due to lower combustion efficiencies and correspond to lower thermal efficiencies. This could be due to the pilot fuel failing to ignite the natural gas-air charge on a significant scale. During dual-fuel operation with both gaseous fuels, an increased overall hydrogen-carbon ratio lowers CO₂ emissions compared with normal engine operation. Power output (in terms of brake mean effective pressure, BMEP) as well as maximum engine speed achieved are also limited. This results from a reduced gaseous fuel induction capability in the intake manifold, in addition to engine stability issues (i.e. abnormal combustion). During all engine operating modes, diesel pilot fuel and RME pilot fuel performed closely in terms of exhaust emissions. Overall, CI engines can operate in the dual-fuel mode reasonably successfully with minimal modifications. However, increased NO_x emissions (with hydrogen use) and incomplete combustion at low and intermediate loads (with natural gas use) are concerns; while port gaseous fuel induction limits power output at high speeds.     

NOx reduction from a large bore natural gas engine via reformed natural gas prechamber fueling optimization

Lean combustion is a standard approach used to reduce NO_x emissions in large bore (35–56 cm) stationary natural gas engines. However, at lean operating points, combustion instabilities and misfires give rise to high total hydrocarbon (THC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. To counteract this effect, precombustion chamber (PCC) technology is employed to allow engine operation at an overall lean equivalence ratio while mitigating the rise of THC and CO caused by combustion instability and misfires. A PCC is a small chamber, typically 1–2% of the clearance volume. A separate fuel line supplies gaseous fuel to the PCC and a standard spark plug ignites the slightly rich mixture (equivalence ratio 1.1–1.2) in the PCC. The ignited PCC mixture enters the main combustion chamber as a high energy flame jet, igniting the lean mixture in the main chamber. Typically, natural gas fuels both the main chamber and the PCC. In the current research, a mixture of reformed natural gas (syngas) and natural gas fuels the PCC. Syngas is a broad term that refers to a synthetic gaseous fuel. In this case, syngas specifically denotes a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and methane generated in a natural gas reformer. Syngas has a faster flame speed and a wider equivalence ratio range of operation than methane. Fueling the PCC with Syngas reduces combustion instabilities and misfires. This extends the overall engine lean limit, enabling further NO_x reductions.Research results presented are aimed at quantifying the benefits of syngas PCC fueling. A model is developed to calculate the equivalence ratio in the PCC for different mixtures and flowrates of fuel. An electronic injection valve is used to supply the PCC with syngas. The delivery pressure, injection timing, and flow rate are varied to optimize PCC equivalence ratio. The experimental results show that supplying the PCC with 100% syngas improves combustion stability by 21% compared to natural gas PCC fueling. A comparison at equivalent combustion stability operating points between 100% syngas and natural gas shows an 87% reduction in NO_x emissions for 100% syngas PCC fueling compared to natural gas PCC fueling.     

Particle emission from combustion of oat grain and its potential reduction by addition of limestone or kaolin

Second-rate cereals, unsuitable for food, can be used as fuel for small-scale production of heat and hot water. However, there are more problems related to cereals than to woody fuels. This work aims at characterising the particle emission from residential combustion of oat grain and its potential reduction by addition of limestone or kaolin with the fuel. Then, to a large extent, the potassium supplied by the fuel is expected to be found in coarse particles, leaving the boiler as bottom ash, instead of being emitted to the air in the form of submicron particles. Combustion experiments were performed on a residential boiler, using filter sampling and low-pressure impactors to measure the mass and number concentrations and size distributions of the emitted particles. The particles and the bottom ash were subsequently analysed for inorganic material. To check the combustion conditions and basic emissions from combustion of cereals, the flue gas was analysed with respect to gaseous O₂, CO₂, CO, NO_x, TOC (total organic carbon), HCl and SO₂. Furthermore, thermodynamic equilibrium analysis was used to support the experimental data. Finally, it is concluded that the particle emission can be lowered by supplying kaolin, while there was no effect of limestone.     

Optimization of the combustion of blends of domestic fuel oil and cottonseed oil in a non-modified domestic boiler

This study characterizes combustion of blends of DFO (domestic fuel-oil) and refined cottonseed oil produced in Burkina Faso at different percentages in a non-modified DFO burner by determining its overall performance (consumption and thermal capacity) and gas emissions (CO, CO₂, O₂, NO, NO_x, SO₂). The physical and chemical characteristics of the different blends confer on each blend the status of a special fuel requiring specific adjustment of the burner. The influence of combustion parameters such as equivalence ratio and fuel pressure is studied. Results show that emissions of CO, NO_x and CO₂ are similar for all fuel blends at the operating point corresponding to 0.86 equivalence ratio and 20 bars fuel pressure. Whatever the fuel pressure is, SO₂ emission is increasing with DFO percentage in blends.Experimental emission results obtained with suitable adjustments for a blend containing 30% cottonseed oil and 70% DFO are compared to the calculated results obtained using a combustion equation based on a global chemical mechanism. The results show that there is a satisfactory match between the calculation and experimental results.     

Numerical investigation on the flow, combustion and NOx emission characteristics in a 500 MWe tangentially fired pulverized-coal boiler

The characteristics of the flow, combustion, temperature and NO_x emissions in a 500 MW_e tangentially fired pulverized-coal boiler are numerically studied using comprehensive models, with emphasis on fuel and thermal NO_x formations. The comparison between the measured values and predicted results shows good agreement, which implies that the adopted combustion and NO_x formation models are suitable for correctly predicting characteristics of the boiler. The relations among the predicted temperature, O₂ and CO₂ mass fractions are discussed based on the calculated distributions. The predicted results clearly show that NO_x formation within the boiler highly depends on the combustion processes as well as the temperature and species concentrations. The results obtained from this study have shown that overfire air (OFA) operation is an efficient way to reduce the NO_x emissions of the pulverized-coal fired boiler. Air staging combustion technology (OFA operation) adopted in this boiler has helped reduce fuel NO_x formation as well as thermal NO_x formation under the present simulated conditions. The decrease in the formation of fuel NO_x is due to the decreased contact of the nitrogen from the fuel with the oxygen within the combustion air, while the decrease in thermal NO_x formation is caused by a decrease in temperature. The detailed results presented in this paper may enhance the understanding of complex flow patterns, combustion processes and NO_x emissions in tangentially fired pulverized-coal boilers, and may also provide a useful basis for NO_x reduction and control.     

Experimental study of n-butanol additive and multi-injection on HD diesel engine performance and emissions

Experimental study was conducted to investigate the influence of the diesel fuel n-butanol content on the performance and emissions of a heavy duty direct injection diesel engine with multi-injection capability. At fixed engine speed and load, exhaust gas recirculation rates were adjusted to keep NO_x emission at 2.0 g/kW h. Diesel fuels with different amounts (0%, 5%, 10% and 15% by volume) of n-butanol were used. The results show that the n-butanol addition can significantly improve soot and CO emissions at constant specific NO_x emission without a serious impact on the break specific fuel consumption and NO_x. The impacts of pilot and post injection on engine characteristics by using blended fuels are similar to that found by using pure diesel. Early pilot injection reduces soot emission, but results in a dramatic increase of CO. Post injection reduces soot and CO emissions effectively. Under each injection strategy, the increase of fuel n-butanol content leads to further reduction of soot. A triple-injection strategy with the highest n-butanol fraction used in this study offers the lowest soot emission.     

Effect of dimethoxy-methane and exhaust gas recirculation on combustion and emission characteristics of a direct injection diesel engine

The effect of fuel constituents and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on combustion characteristics, fuel efficiency and emissions of a direct injection diesel engine fueled with diesel-dimethoxymethane (DMM) blends was investigated experimentally. Three diesel-DMM blended fuels containing 20%, 30% and 50% by volume fraction of DMM, corresponding to 8.5%, 12.7% and 21.1% by mass of oxygen in the blends, were used. By the use of DMM, it is observed that CO and smoke emissions as well as the total number and mass concentration of particulate reduce significantly, while HC emissions and particulate number with lower geometric mean diameters (D_i < 0.039 μm) increase slightly. For each fuel, there is an increase of ignition delay whereas a decrease of cylinder pressure and heat release rate in the premixed combustion phase when the diesel engine was operated with EGR system. The brake thermal efficiency fluctuates at small EGR ratio, while decreases with the further increase of EGR ratio. With an increase of EGR ratio, NO_x emission is reduced at the cost of increased smoke, HC and CO emissions as well as the total number and mass of particulates for each fuel.     

Regulated and unregulated emissions from a light-duty diesel engine with different sulfur content fuels

Five different sulfur content fuels were used on a light-duty diesel engine to study the effect of fuel sulfur on emissions. Four regulated emissions: smoke, nitrogen oxide (NO_x), unburned hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions of the engine were investigated, as well as three unregulated emissions: formaldehyde (HCHO), acetaldehyde (MECHO) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂). The smoke emission decreases continuously and remarkably with the fuel sulfur content, and the fuel sulfur has more influence on smoke emission at lower engine load. The concentration of NO_x emissions did not change significantly with the different sulfur content fuels. As the fuel sulfur content decreases, the concentrations of HC and CO emissions have distinct reduction. The HCHO emission values are very low. The MECHO emission decreases with increasing engine load, and it continuously decreases with the fuel sulfur content and it could not be detected at higher engine load with 50 ppm sulfur fuel. The SO₂ emission increases continuously with the engine load, and obviously decreases with the fuel sulfur contents.     

Emission characteristics using methyl soyate–ethanol–diesel fuel blends on a diesel engine

A blend of 20% (v/v) ethanol/methyl soyate was prepared and added to diesel fuel as an oxygenated additive at volume percent levels of 15 and 20% (denoted as BE15 and BE20). We also prepared a blend containing 20% methyl soyate in diesel fuel (denoted as B20). The fuel blends that did not have any other additive were stable for up to 3 months. Engine performance and emission characteristics of the three different fuels in a diesel engine were investigated and compared with the base diesel fuel. Observations showed that particulate matter (PM) emission decreased with increasing oxygenate content in the fuels but nitrogen oxides (NO_x) emissions increased. The diesel engine fueled by BE20 emitted significantly less PM and a lower Bosch smoke number but the highest NO_x among the fuel blends tested. All the oxygenate fuels produced moderately lower CO emissions relative to diesel fuel. The B20 blend emitted less total hydrocarbon (THC) emissions compared with base diesel fuel. This was opposite to the fuel blends containing ethanol (BE15, BE20), which produced much higher THC emission.     

Experimental investigation on dual fuel operation of acetylene in a DI diesel engine

Depletion of fossils fuels and environmental degradation have prompted researchers throughout the world to search for a suitable alternative fuel for diesel engine. One such step is to utilize renewable fuels in diesel engines by partial or total replacement of diesel in dual fuel mode. In this study, acetylene gas has been considered as an alternative fuel for compression ignition engine, which has excellent combustion properties.Investigation has been carried out on a single cylinder, air cooled, direct injection (DI), compression ignition engine designed to develop the rated power output of 4.4 kW at 1500 rpm under variable load conditions, run on dual fuel mode with diesel as injected primary fuel and acetylene inducted as secondary gaseous fuel at various flow rates. Acetylene aspiration resulted in lower thermal efficiency. Smoke, HC and CO emissions reduced, when compared with baseline diesel operation. With acetylene induction, due to high combustion rates, NO_x emission significantly increased. Peak pressure and maximum rate of pressure rise also increased in the dual fuel mode of operation due to higher flame speed. It is concluded that induction of acetylene can significantly reduce smoke, CO and HC emissions with a small penalty on efficiency.     

Emissions monitoring during coal waste wood co-combustion in an industrial steam boiler

Co-combustion tests were performed in a 13.8 MW_th industrial steam boiler, using Greek lignite from Ptolemais reserve, natural waste wood, MDF residues and power poles. Fuel blends were prepared by mixing single waste wood components with lignite in various concentrations. Oxygen concentration and emissions of CO, SO₂ and NO_x were continuously monitored, during the co-combustion tests. Gaseous and particulate samples were collected and analysed for heavy metals, dioxins and furans according to standard methods. The results showed that co-combustion is technically feasible provided that agglomeration problems could be confronted. Low emissions of toxic pollutants were obtained during the co-combustion tests, below the legislative limit values. The lowest values of dioxins and furans were observed during combustion of fuel blends containing MDF, possibly due to inhibition by some nitrogenous components in MDF. No direct correlation was found between emitted PCDD/F and metal compounds, especially copper. Among the measured metals in the flue gases, zinc was the most prominent, while iron was mainly observed in the solid ash samples.     

Experimental investigation of mineral diesel fuel, GTL fuel, RME and neat soybean and rapeseed oil combustion in a heavy duty on-road engine with exhaust gas aftertreatment

The effects of mineral diesel fuel, gas-to-liquid fuel, rapeseed methyl ester, neat soybean and neat rapeseed oil on injection, combustion, efficiency and pollutant emissions have been studied on a compression ignition heavy duty engine operated near full load and equipped with a combined exhaust gas aftertreatment system (oxidation catalyst, particle filter, selective catalytic NO_x reduction). In a first step, the engine calibration was kept constant for all fuels which led to differences in engine torque for the different fuels. In a second step, the injection duration was modified so that all fuels led to the same engine torque. In a third step, the engine was recalibrated in order to keep the NO_x emissions at an equal level for all fuels (injection pressure, injection timing, EGR rate). The experiments show that the critical NO_x emissions were higher (even behind the exhaust gas aftertreatment systems) for oxygenated fuels in case of the engine not being recalibrated for the fuel. GTL and the oxygenated fuels show lower emissions for some pollutants and higher efficiency after recalibration to equal NO_x levels.     

Emissions and wall temperatures for lean prevaporized premixed gas turbine combustor

Experimental studies are carried out for investigating emission and wall temperature for traditional gas turbine combustor converted to lean premixed prevaporized (LPP) combustor. Vortex chamber, air preheating system, flat flame burner and inlet temperature control system are designed. Vortex chamber was maintained at the main air inlet port for controlling secondary air flow rate and wall temperature. Kerosene/air mixture temperature at exit from burner and entering combustion chamber was kept constant at 650 K for all runs. Special considerations were given for measuring NO_X, UHC, CO, local A/F ratio, flame temperature, exhaust gases temperature and wall temperature. For swirl and non swirl cases, secondary air ratio and primary zone air/fuel ratio were varied. The different operating parameters affecting flame temperature through it is affecting on local A/F ratio which is the main parameter for controlling flame temperature, emissions and walls temperatures. Flat flame burner and vortex chamber are useful tools for reducing emission and controlling walls temperatures. The inner liner wall temperatures are more affected by primary zone equivalence ratio while the outer liner wall temperatures are more affected by secondary air flow rate. Semi empirical correlations for NO_X, UHC and CO concentrations, exhaust gases temperature and maximum inner liner wall temperature are carried out. Good agreement between the measured and the calculated results are obtained. The present results are useful for further development of the traditional gas turbine combustor converted to LPP combustor.     

Co-combustion of rice husk with coal in a cyclonic fluidized-bed combustor (ψ-FBC)

Thailand is well-endowed with renewable energy resources. In Thailand, rice husk, a by-product of the rice-milling process and one of the most potentially sustainable cultivated biomasses, has an annual energy equivalent of 6.6 × 10⁷ GJ. Using rice husk alone, however, can be problematic, particularly if there is a deficit during the off-season. Coal, the most abundant fossil fuel, has thus been considered an appropriate supplementary fuel. This paper describes the combustion characteristics of co-firing rice husk with bituminous coal in a 120 kW_th-capacity cyclonic fluidized-bed combustor (ψ-FBC), and how excess air ratios and fuel blends impacted emissions and combustion efficiency (E_c). Overall, excess air and blending ratios did not have tremendous effects on E_c, easily achieving >97%. Radial temperature profiles revealed that vortex combustion prevailed along the combustor walls. Concurring with axial temperature profiles, axial O₂ profiles suggested that the combustion was confined chiefly to regions under the vortex ring. Despite massive CO production in the lower section, CO emissions were satisfactory (range 60-260 ppm, at 6% O₂). Due to the high bed temperatures, NO_x appeared rather high (260-416 ppm, at 6% O₂). Not only were NO_x emissions affected by coal ratio, it were also highly reliable on the operating conditions. SO₂ emissions varied directly, but not proportionally, with the sulfur content of the fuel mixture.     

Attempts to reduce NOx exhaust emissions by using reformulated biodiesel

Biodiesel is a renewable, domestically produced fuel that has been shown to reduce particulate, hydrocarbon, and carbon monoxide emissions from diesel engines. Under some conditions, however, biodiesel produced from certain feedstocks has been shown to cause an increase in nitrogen oxides (NO_x). This is of special concern in urban areas that are subject to strict environmental regulations. Although soy-based biodiesel may increase the emission of nitrogen oxides, it is the most easily accessible in North America. We investigated two routes to reformulate soy-based biodiesel in an effort to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. In one of these, soy-oil methyl esters were modified by conversion of a proportion of the cis bonds in the fatty acid chains of its methyl esters to their trans isomers. In the other approach, polyol derivatives of soybean oil were transesterified to form soy methyl polyol fatty acid esters. The NO_x emissions of these modified biodiesels were then examined, using a Yanmar L100 single cylinder, four stroke, naturally aspirated, air cooled, direct injection diesel engine. Using either isomerized methyl oleate or isomerized soy biodiesel, at 20% blend level in petroleum diesel (‘B20’), nitrogen oxide emissions were elevated by between 1.5 and 3 percentage points relative to the combustion of a B20 blend of commercial biodiesel. Nitrogen oxide emissions were reduced in proportion to blend level during the combustion of polyol biodiesel, with a 20% blend in petrodiesel resulting in a reduction of about 4.5 percentage points relative to the emissions of a comparable blend of commercial soy biodiesel.     

Improved emission characteristics of HCCI engine by various premixed fuels and cooled EGR

This work investigates partial HCCI (homogeneous charge compression ignition) combustion as a control mechanism for HCCI combustion. The premixed fuel is supplied via a port fuel injection system located in the intake port of DI diesel engine. Cooled EGR is introduced for the suppression of advanced autoignition of the premixed fuel. The premixed fuels used in this experiment are gasoline, diesel, and n-heptane. The results show that with diesel premixed fuel, a simultaneous decrease of NO_x and soot can be obtained by increasing the premixed ratio. However, when the inlet charge is heated for the improved vaporization of diesel fuel, higher inlet temperature limits the operational range of HCCI combustion due to severe knocking and high NO_x emission at high premixed ratios. Gasoline premixing shows the most significant effects in the reductions of NO_x and soot emissions, compared to other kinds of premixed fuels.