Reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) with double direct injection of diesel and hydrous ethanol

Abstract

Oil is still a relevant component in the global energy matrix. However, price fluctuations, irregular production and possible shortage of oil are factors that negatively affect the world economy. Moreover, it is universal unanimity that the exploitation of oil and its derivatives causes setbacks to the environment and diminishes the population life quality. Therefore, there are studies to find natural energy sources to replace petroleum products to reduce the harmful effects caused by fossil fuels. In this work, sugarcane ethanol, widely used to supply passenger cars in Brazil, was the fuel chosen as a possible candidate for diesel replacement, even partially. To conduct the study, a reactive charge compression ignition engine fueled with diesel and ethanol was used to compare two directed injection modes: ethanol and diesel (ED) strategy (ethanol and diesel injected before top dead center (TDC)) and diesel and ethanol (DE) strategy (diesel injected before TDC and ethanol injected after TDC). In all tests in which ethanol was injected, increased ignition delay was observed. The highest efficiency was achieved using the ED injection strategy, but detonations and pressure peaks appeared. Test results also show that, using DE injection strategy, it was possible to increase the amount of ethanol injected, since no pressure peaks nor detonations appeared; however, it presented lower efficiency compared to the ED injection strategy.

Effects of n-Butanol Compression Ignition of Ethanol by Rapid Compression Machine

“…international tensions, shortages, oil embargoes, etc.) has increased, resulting in local energy alternatives and the progressive research for new energy sources [2].…”

“…Ethanol-diesel blends, where fuels are mixed prior to injection. And additive-ethanol, where an additive is added to ethanol for improving its cetane number [2,6,[9][10][11].…”

Study of effects of ignition improvers on ethanol compression ignition in the rapid compression machine

“…Bioethanol is the best alternative fuel for Otto engines, while biodiesel is used for diesel engines [3][4][5][6]. Recently, some studies have considered the utilization of alcohols (methanol, ethanol, butanol and others) in diesel engines through total or partial substitution of diesel oil [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Using this fuel in a compression ignition (CI) engine is a challenge due to the lower cetane number, lubricity and viscosity, among other factors [17,18].…”