Factors Affecting Performance of Dual Fuel Compression Ignition Engines

Compression Ignition Diesel Engine use diesel as conventional fuel. This has proven to be the most economical source of prime mover in medium and heavy duty loads for both stationary and mobile applications. Performance enhancements have been implemented to optimize fuel consumption and increase thermal efficiency as well as lowering exhaust emissions on these engines. Recently dual fueling of diesel engines has been found one of the means to achieve these goals. Different types of fuels are tried to displace some of the diesel fuel consumption.This study is made to identify the most favorable conditions for dual fuel mode of operation using diesel as main fuel and gasoline as a combustion improver. A single cylinder naturally aspirated air cooled 0.4 liter direct injection diesel engine is used. Diesel is injected by the normal fuel injection system, while gasoline is carbureted with air using a simple single jet carburetor mounted at the air intake. The engine has been operated at constant speed of 3000 rpm and the load was varied. Different gasoline to air mixture strengths investigated, and diesel injection timing is also varied. The optimum setting of the engine has been defined which increased the thermal efficiency, reduced the NOx % and HC%.