Fouling of Two Stage Injectors - An Investigation into Some Causes and Effects

In the quest for improved fuel efficiency and reduced CO₂ emissions, motor manufacturers are increasingly turning to the High Speed Direct Injection (HSDI) diesel engine for passenger car use. To achieve acceptable levels of noise and emissions at low loads two stage injection is being utilised.

Such injection systems are prone to nozzle coking due to the small fuel metering holes, low opening pressures and low fuel flow rates under part load operation. This coking leads to a rapid deterioration of emissions performance.

This paper describes work done to investigate conditions leading to this phenomena and the possible mechanisms involved.