Numerical simulation of the effect of LPG blending on the characteristics of a diesel engine

The present work aims to investigate numerically the effect of LPG blending on the characteristics of diesel engines subjected to variable compression ratio, injection timing, and engine speed. Three blends of LPG are used, which are 10% LPG + 90% diesel, 20% LPG + 80% diesel, and 30% LPG + 70% diesel. The numerical investigation is carried out using the simulation software Diesel-RK. Increasing the percentage of LPG in diesel starts combustion early where the lowest delay period is recorded for a blend of 30% LPG + 70% diesel 6.36 deg. The combustion pressure and heat release are decreased due to the difference in the heating values of blended fuels. Although the peak energy release for diesel is 0.05458 (1/deg.) at 375 deg. BTDC, it was 0.0542, 0.05424, and 0.0537 (1/deg.) at 375 deg. BTDC for 10%, 20%, 30% LPG, respectively. Diesel with 30% LPG has a higher spray penetration followed by 20% LPG then 10% LPG and diesel come last. The diesel with 10% LPG gives a 5.35% reduction in NOx, while diesel with 20% and 30% LPG emit less NOx emission by 9.05% and 16.5%, respectively. Increasing the percentage of LPG in diesel yields to reduce soot concentration because LPG has lower carbon to hydrogen ratio. The lowest ability to emit smoke is detected for fuel with 30% LPG where a 7.4% reduction is obtained. It is worth noting that blending LPG with diesel can fight the trade-off relation between Soot-NOx as a reduction in both of them is obtained. Based on the results obtained, the blending ratio is 30% LPG. The obtained results are validated with the results of other researchers.