Experimental study of homogeneous charge compression ignition in a light-duty diesel engine operated with commercial gasoline-ethanol

Abstract

An experimental bench was designed and developed to carry out experimental tests of a Diesel cycle engine using gasoline as fuel. The engine (originally a diesel cycle) was fitted with different devices to run in HCCI mode. These modifications did not affect the engine's original condition, which can be returned to diesel mode at any time. Instrumentation was set up to measurement the temperature (exhaust gases, inlet charge inlet, lubricating oil), pressure (intake air, gasoline inlet, combustion chamber), torque, rpm, air flow and fuel flow. The engine was subjected to different operating conditions and control parameters to study and analyze the effects of engine speed, air-fuel ratio and mixture temperature (air-gasoline). The results indicate that higher temperatures or amounts of fuel cause an earlier ignition phase, which would have a direct influence on the beginning of combustion. The results also indicate that, by increasing the amount of fuel and varying the inlet temperature, more useful energy is generated until reaching the limit of the detonation zone. Small gains in combustion efficiency translate into significant energy savings, also reducing exhaust gas pollution levels.