Experimental investigation on the effect of dual fuel reactivity controlled compression ignition combustion in diesel engine using liquid and gaseous fuels

Abstract

The energy conservation for creating a sustainable future is one of the primary challenges faced by modern society. Among the various energy requiring sectors, the automotive division is one of the major energy consuming segments. Automobiles powered by diesel engines also serve as the backbone of agriculture, industrial machinery, heavy-duty equipment and stationery power generation. Due to their higher torque capability, good reliability, higher efficiency, increased durability, clean combustion, and affordable operating costs, diesel engines are widely used in various fields. However, these conventional diesel engines suffer from higher oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and smoke emissions. Thus, the enormous use of diesel leads to the depletion of fossil fuel sources, fuel cost escalation, environmental degradation, global warming etc. Hence, the automotive industry has been facing significant challenges for the past few decades. For addressing these issues, several measures like exploring the potential of alternative fuels and advanced combustion methods for increasing performance and minimizing emission, adopting in-cylinder modification strategies, and employing after treatment devices are being taken by the researchers. In this regard, the researchers focus the Low-Temperature Combustion (LTC) techniques to improve the efficiency of diesel engines. These techniques, utilizing the alternative combustion methods, also involve the use of oxygenated renewable alternative fuels. Among the various LTC techniques, the dual fuel Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) combustion mode is one of the promising advanced LTC approaches that simultaneously reduces emissions and improves efficiency. RCCI combustion could reduce nitrogen oxide emissions without the requirement of expensive after-treatment devices. In addition to the pollutants, the world is heading towards a fuel crisis as fossil fuels are quickly running out, and choosing an alternative renewable fuel to diesel has become critical for future demand. newline