Investigation of Split Diesel Injections in Methanol/Diesel Dual-Fuel Combustion in an Optical Engine

Hongyi Zhang, Zhonghui Zhao, Jun Wu, Xinyan Wang, Weihao Ouyang and Zhaowen Wang ()
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Hongyi Zhang: School of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Zhonghui Zhao: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Jun Wu: School of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Xinyan Wang: Centre for Advanced Powertrain and Fuels, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
Weihao Ouyang: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Zhaowen Wang: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-21

Abstract: Methanol is a promising alternative fuel due to its wide availability of raw materials, mature production processes, and low production cost. However, because of the low cetane number, methanol must include a more reactive fuel to assist with combustion when used in compression ignition (CI) engines. In this study, based on the optical CI engine platform, methanol is injected into the intake port, and diesel is directly injected into the cylinder to achieve dual-fuel combustion. The effects of the methanol energy ratios and diesel split injection strategies on combustion are investigated. The results show that the premixed blue flame was mainly concentrated in the near wall region, whereas the yellow flame produced by diesel combustion tended to concentrate in the central region as the methanol energy ratio increased. When the methanol energy ratio exceeded 50%, the ignition delay was significantly prolonged, while the flame area was greatly reduced. Meanwhile, the peak values for the cylinder pressure and heat release rate decreased significantly, indicating a significant deterioration in combustion. At the earlier diesel pre-injection timing at −58°, the overall dual-fuel combustion at each main injection timing exhibited low-temperature premixed combustion characteristics, with a lower peak exothermic rate and flame brightness. At the later pre-injection timing at −33°, the spray flame at all main injection timings could be observed, with higher peak heat release rates and indications of thermal efficiency. Combustion at later main injection timings was characterized by diffusion combustion, and the main injection timing could effectively regulate the combustion process through phase adjustment.

Keywords: optical engine; diesel/methanol; methanol energy ratio; main injection timing; combustion process (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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