Spark-Assisted Diesel for Multifuel Capability

In order to evaluate the feasibility of spark-assisted diesel engine concept for multifuel capability in which forced spark can assist ignition in case of no self-ignition, a spark plug was adapted in the pre-combustion chamber of a conventional diesel engine. And performance tests and emission tests on the engine were carried out with methanol, ethanol, gasoline and diesel fuel. And also injection and combustion characteristics with the fuels were measured for the investigation of difference with each fuels.

The test results show that this spark-assisted diesel has multifuel capability and it is concluded that this type of engine has enough potential for the future and alternate low cetane number fuel use and the performance is comparable to a conventional diesel engine with various fuels.