A Method to Improve the Solubility and Combustion Characteristics of Alcohol-Diesel Fuel Blends

This paper reports the results of two parallel investigations: An investigation on the solubility of alcohols in diesel fuels, and the diesel engine performance with the blended fuels.

The investigation proposes an empirical formula for the solubility of alcohols in diesel fuels, as a function of temperature, water content, additive concentration and specific gravity of the diesel fuel.

The engine performance when using the blended fuels was also investigated. Compared with conventional diesel fuels, the blended fuels show promise of better thermal efficiency, smoke free operation, and reduction of HC, NOx, and CO emissions.