The characteristics of biodiesel and oxygenated additives in a compression ignition engine

In this study, experiments on the simultaneous reduction of smoke and NOx emissions of indirect-injection (IDI) diesel engines were conducted using a biodiesel fuel (BDF) and ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether (EGBE), which is an oxygenated fuel of mono-ethers, as a pre-processing method and by applying cooled EGR. A four-cylinder, water-cooled IDI diesel engine was used, while the engine performance and emission characteristics were considered using diesel fuel, BDF 100%, and a mixed fuel BDF and EGBE (maximum EGBE mixing ratio in mixed fuel: 20 vol-%). Results showed the BDF and the BDF and EGBE mix had significantly better smoke reduction effects than the diesel fuel. In particular, the use of the BDF and EGBE mix and the simultaneous application of 10% cooled EGR were confirmed to have reduced both smoke and NOx emissions.