Influence of 1-pentanol as the renewable fuel blended with hydrogen on the diesel engine characteristics and trade-off study with variable injection timing

Biofuels are considered as one of the best viable and inexhaustible alternatives to conventional diesel fuel. Alcohols have become very important and popular in the present scenario due to their characteristic fuel properties and production nature. This study examines the influence of 1-pentanol and hydrogen on various performance characteristics of CRDI diesel engines. The experiment was carried out with a load range of 25%–100% in 25% percent increments, at 1500 rpm constant engine speed. The influence of injection-timing at 9°, 12°and 15°bTDC was first investigated using 30% 1-pentanol as fuel to observe the effect on engine parameters in comparison with base fluid. Compared to conventional and retarded injection timings, 1-pentanol displayed better emission and performance characteristics at higher injection timings. Additionally, at 15°bTDC, 30% 1-pentanol was used with 12 LPM hydrogen in a dual fuel mode. Compared to plain diesel, the hydrogen-enriched fuel resulted in a 1.50% lower HRR (heat release rate) and 6.77% higher cylinder pressure at 75% load. Thus, it is evident that hydrogen enrichment at 75% load effectively reduces hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions by 6.66% and 10%, respectively, and improves thermal efficiency by 5%. The experiment revealed that 1-pentanol performs effectively at higher injection timings and that hydrogen improved the performance even further. Furthermore, the long-term viability of hydrogen and 1-pentanol as an energy source is well demonstrated in future scenarios.