Instantaneous PLII and OH* Chemiluminescence Study on Wide Distillation Fuels, PODE _n and Ethanol Blends in a Constant Volume Vessel

The combustion characteristics and soot emissions of three types of fuels were studied in a high pressure and temperature vessel. In order to achieve better volatility, proper cetane number and high oxygen content, the newly designed WDEP fuel was proposed and investigated. It is composed of wide distillation fuel (WD), PODE_3-6 mixture (PODE_n) and ethanol. For comparison, the test on WD and the mixture of PODE_n-ethanol (EP) are also conducted. OH* chemiluminescence during the combustion was measured and instantaneous PLII was also applied to reveal the soot distribution. Abel transformation was adopted to calculate the total soot of axisymmetric flame. The results show that WDEP has similar ignition delays and flame lift-off lengths to those of WD at 870-920 K. But the initial ignition locations of WDEP flame in different cycles were more concentrated, particularly under the condition of low oxygen atmosphere. Comparing with WD, the soot amount of WDEP decreased for 55% and 27% at 870 K and 920 K. For the case of 920 K and 15.8% of ambient oxygen, the soot amount in WDEP case decreased by 44%, indicating a more significant soot reduction effect at lower temperatures and EGR conditions.