Enhancing performance and reducing emissions of a spark ignition engine by adding dimethyl carbonate to gasoline

Abstract

Various alternative fuels have previously been investigated in light of growing concerns about environmental pollution and fuel depletion. In this study, the effects of dimethyl carbonate as an alternative oxygenate to gasoline on the performance, emissions, and combustion characteristics of an inline four-cylinder spark-ignited engine are investigated. Adding dimethyl carbonate to gasoline produced a higher Research octane number and oxygen percentage. The study found that using dimethyl carbonate/gasoline blends increased brake thermal efficiency and reduced unburned hydro carbons and carbon monoxide emissions. Furthermore, a mixture containing 30% dimethyl carbonate presented the engine's best performance and emission characteristics compared to gasoline. At higher engine speed, 8.95% higher brake thermal efficiency, 16.94% lesser HC, and 18.75% lesser CO than gasoline. A higher level of nitrogen oxide is produced by dimethyl carbonate/gasoline blends when compared to gasoline.The combustion stability and heat release rate produced by dimethyl carbonate/gasoline blends were higher than gasoline.