Experiments in Dual Fuelling a Compression Ignition Engine by Injecting Di-Methyl Ether as a Pilot Fuel to Ignite Varying Quantities of Natural Gas

In this work, we examine the viability of using varying quantities of natural gas and di-methyl ether in a dual-fuelling regime for compression ignition engines. This particular regime involves injecting a small (pilot) quantity of di-methyl ether directly into an engine's combustion chamber to ignite a quantity of natural gas and air induced by the engine on the intake stroke. Of interest are measurements of emissions, estimates of ignition delay times, calculations of the rates at which energy is released within the combustion chamber and thermal efficiency as the ratio of natural gas to di-methyl ether is varied.