Experimental Study of the Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Compression Ignition (CI) Engine Using Syngas-Diesel Blend

Abstract

The research is financed jointly by TUM and Self. The content contained herein is my original work.

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the performance and emissions characteristics of the compression ignition engine when operated with several blends of syngas-diesel fuel. The aim is to identify the best conditions of fuel-blend proportion, compression, fuel ignition timing, speed and load under which the engine is to be operated for maximum power output and minimum emissions. Syngas used was generated from a bench-scale gasifier and mixed with air at mixing unit before the mixture is supplied to the engine combustion chamber for the mixing with a controlled amount of neat diesel. The gas was first cleaned and cooled before delivery to the mixing unit. Tests were done for fuel consumption, power output and emissions for each aforementioned condition.  It is known, coal has been a major source of energy for many countries of the developed world, especially where coal deposits exist. This situation is expected to persist for a long time to come; more so, in light of the rapid depletion of the world’s oil reserves, underdevelopment of conversion equipment for renewable energy and the uncertainty of nuclear energy. However, coal has been the major contributor to global warming and the greenhouse effect. These problems associated with coal have necessitated carrying out of studies under the clean coal technology and green coal programs. Both aimed at reducing its negative environmental impact and health hazard in power and industrial plants, and as an alternative fuel in ICE engines. This is partly achieved through the gasification of existing coal to produce a combustible gas called synthetic gas (syngas). Syngas can meet energy needs in an economical and environmentally friendly way, especially in the areas where coal is available, the price of petroleum fuels is high, or where supplies are uncertain. This study has established that a CI engine using syngas, though generates less power than an engine operated with neat diesel, emits less and fewer emission(s) and therefore is promising and even cost-competitive alternative to the conventional diesel fuel engines. Therefore, this paper has included information on the performance and emissions of CI engine when using syngas-diesel blend and compared it with when the engine is operated on neat diesel.

Keywords: Brake thermal efficiency (BTE), emissions, Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) specific fuel consumption (BFC), Synthesis Gas (syngas).

DOI: 10.7176/JETP/10-1-07

Publication date: March 31^st 2020