Influence of Intake Air Pre-Heat on a Diesel Engine Operating on Ethanol in Dual Fuel Mode

The lavish consumption of energy have not only resulted in global energy crisis but also aggravated the climatic conditions by the emissions of greenhouse gases and consequently global warming. The effects of global warming includes the rise of sea level, frequent wildfires, drought and floods. Internal combustion engines have also contributed significantly in the degradation of the environment. The researchers have therefore focussed on not only the development of alternative fuels, especially bio-fuels but also have shown interest in the domain of fuel-related techniques. Alcohol, especially ethanol which is renewable in nature and may be derived from crops is one of the promising alternative fuel. In the presented paper, the effects of intake air pre-heat on the performance and emissions of compression ignition engine operating on ethanol in dual fuel mode have been investigated. The improved vaporisation of ethanol due to increased intake air temperature evinces the slightly enhanced brake thermal efficiency. Moreover, preheating the intake air lowers carbon-mono-oxide and unburnt hydrocarbons, whereas, increases the oxides of nitrogen.