Effect of Premixed Charge of Ethanol and Exhaust Gas Recirculation on the Performance and Emission Characteristics in an Ethanol-Diesel Fueled HCDC Engine - An Experimental Investigation

Diesel engines are used for automotive application because they have lower specific fuel consumption and superior efficiency compared to the SI engines. However, in spite of these advantages oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and smoke emissions from the diesel engine causes serious environmental problems. In the present work, homogeneous charge diesel combustion (HCDC) concept is used for simultaneous reduction of NOx and smoke emissions. Ethanol is used as a premixed fuel and injected into the port at low pressure during the suction stroke by solenoid-operated injector. Diesel is used as secondary fuel and conventionally injected at the end of the compression stroke. Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) technique was also adapted to find the maximum possible reduction in NOx emission without abrupt increase in hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emission. This paper investigates the effect of different premixed ratios of ethanol and effect of exhaust gas recirculation while using different premixed ratios on the combustion and emission characteristics of the diesel engine working in homogeneous charge diesel combustion mode.