A Study of Emission and Performance Characteristics on HCCI Engine Using Methanol Blend

In recent times control of emissions has been the major issue resulting strict emission norms. Oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) reduction is a major concern over the years and diesel engine has big hand when compared to gasoline. Several promising techniques have been developed, homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) is one of the effective ways to trim down the NO_x emissions by keeping thermal efficiency identical to diesel engine. However, this concept lags in controlling CO and HC emissions. Methanol fuel blends are chosen as it significantly improves the combustion quality. Oxygen content in methanol drags attention as it can compensate HC and CO emissions caused by HCCI mode of combustion. In this work conventional diesel engine is converted into HCCI engine by mounting diesel vaporizer at inlet manifold to attain homogenous mixture. An experimental investigations have been carried out to analyse performance and emission characteristics using different methanol blends. Results have shown decent reduction in NOx, HC and CO emissions were also under control.