Operation of an ADE 236 Diesel Engine on Light Diesel Fuels

The yield of diesel at a refinery can be increased by adding light hydrocarbons to the diesel to produce ‘light diesel’ fuels. An ADE 236 diesel engine fuelled with a light diesel formulated as a ‘worst case fuel’ was unable to complete a durability test owing to combustion-related problems. Subsequent tests indicated that satisfactory durability could be achieved by using the worst case fuel and retarding the injection timing, or by retaining the standard injection timing and using either an ignition-improved light diesel or a blend of diesel containing fewer light hydrocarbons. Operation on light diesel fuels caused a slight loss of power and increased wear in some components of the fuel-injection equipment.