Reducing the Emission of Particles from a Diesel Engine by Adding an Oxygenate to the Fuel

Abstract

Particulate and high emissions of NO x are the main problems that are associated with diesel engines. Therefore, techniques and fuels that promote a reduction in these emissions currently are attracting great interest. In this paper, a mixture of acetal and regular diesel fuel has been tested in a heavy-duty diesel engine. The effect was a marked decrease in particle number and the estimated particle mass. A small reduction of the engine power was also observed; however, the net effect was nevertheless a reduction in the emission of CO 2 per European stationary cycle. The emissions of HC, CO, NO x , some aldehydes, and hydrocarbons were only slightly affected by the new fuel composition. An exception was the emission of acetaldehyde, which was almost quadrupled, probably reflecting the decomposition and oxidation of acetal to acetaldehyde.

Absolute photoionization cross sections of two cyclic ketones: cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone

“…Conversely, cyclic hydrocarbons have higher energy densities, due to ring strain, and are preferred to be mixed into conventional jet‐fuel to increase its density . Past investigations have also found that the addition of oxygenates to fuel, in which the oxygen is bonded to two carbons as with ethers and esters, yield the lowest soot emissions of particulate matter and emissions decline as the oxygen content is increased . In addition, it has been found that when a cyclic ketone is added at a constant concentration to a heavy‐duty direct injection diesel engine, the smoke opacity and soot emissions are lowered .…”

A comparative study of particle size distribution from two oxygenated fuels and diesel fuel

“…At 2300 r$min -1 , the percentages of ultra-fine particle were 66%-82% for diesel fuel and 73%-88% for A-diesel. The opposite results were reported by Nord et al [14]. In their study, a 10% acetal blend with diesel fuel (A-diesel) and base diesel fuel were tested on a diesel engine with electronically controlled fuel injection.…”

12. Utilization of existing assets

“…Nowadays, 1,1-dibutoxyethane (DBE) and other similar acetals such as dibutoxymethane derived from n-butanol and formaldehyde are produced at a small scale, mainly for applications in the flavor and fragrance industries and as solvents (cleaning, aerosols, adhesives, etc.). Acetals have also been identified as oxygenates for diesel blending due to their capability to reduce emissions, mainly of particulate matter, and to facilitate the combustion of the final products without decreasing the ignition quality, maintaining, or even increasing the cetane number [10,11]. Acetals have also been identified as oxygenates for diesel blending due to their capability to reduce emissions, mainly of particulate matter, and to facilitate the combustion of the final products without decreasing the ignition quality, maintaining, or even increasing the cetane number [10,11].…”