Optimization of the Performance of a Methanol/Dimethyl Ether Fuelled Compression Ignition Engine

The effects of varied injector pressure and pump timing on the performance of a direct-injection compression-ignition engine fuelled on methanol as the main fuel and aspirated Dimethyl Ether (DME) as the ignition promoter were investigated. Constant speed tests were performed on diesel and repeated with the methanol/DME combination. When fuelling using the methanol/DME combination, an increase in performance was seen in maximum cylinder pressure and brake power at an increased injector pressure of 225bar (standard= 210bar). Overall, little change has been made to the performance of the engine as compared to results at the standard injector pressure and pump timing.