Session: 06-04: Performance Systems Modeling and Design

Paper Number: 164549

164549 - Experimental Study of Mixing Controlled Compression Ignition of Gasoline-Ethanol Fuel Blends With Elevated Intake Temperatures at Low Load Conditions in a Heavy-Duty Engine 

Abstract: 

Interest in using low carbon renewable fuels in heavy duty applications is growing with the criteria pollutant regulations becoming increasingly more stringent. The heavy-duty engine market is forecasted to steadily grow and low carbon fuels such as ethanol and gasoline-ethanol blend fuels are desirable to replace diesel fuel due to their lower environmental impact. However, these fuels have lower reactivity relative to diesel. Thus, creating challenges in stable operation in Mixing Controlled Combustion (MCC) mode commonly used in heavy duty applications, particularly at lower load conditions. Using some form of ignition assistance is required to achieve diesel like combustion for these lower cetane fuels. In this work, experiments were conducted in a single cylinder heavy duty research engine at elevated intake temperatures with fuel grade ethanol (E98), gasoline-ethanol fuel blend (E10, 10% v/v ethanol) and diesel for a low-load high-speed condition. This allows for higher bulk gas temperatures in cylinder without the presence of any diluents. Additionally, a combustion phasing sweep was done for the three fuels. Single and pilot-main injection strategies were tested for E98 and E10. The experimental results show that at the low-load high-speed condition tested, the oxygenated fuels require much higher intake temperatures to achieve similar combustion stability and robustness as diesel, resulting in an efficiency penalty. The pilot-main injection strategy facilitates more stable combustion compared to the single injection. E98 and E10 offer significant soot emissions benefit with E98 yielding near zero soot for all operating conditions. NOx emissions are comparable (for E98) or slightly higher (for E10) than diesel due to the higher bulk gas temperatures in cylinder. This work highlights the potential of using elevated intake temperatures as ignition assistance for low cetane fuels as well as the engine out emissions yield compared to conventional diesel engine operation. 

Presenting Author: Musharrat Chowdhury Marquette University

Presenting Author Biography: Musharrat Chowdhury is currently pursuing a PhD degree at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. He completed his undergraduate degree in the Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology majoring in Mechanical Engineering. His research is focused on developing sustainable transportation solutions for the future.

Authors:

Musharrat Chowdhury Marquette University
Tyler Johnston Marquette University
Adam Dempsey Marquette University