Performance and Emissions Characteristics of Multi-Cylinder Direct Injection Diesel Engine Fuelled with Diesel/Biodiesel and Toluene Additives

Authors

Hagar Alm-Eldin Bastawissi, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta UniversityFollow
Medhat Elkelawy Prof. Dr. Eng., Mechanical engineering department, Faculty of Engineering, Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt – Email: medhat.elkelawy@pua.edu.eg Department of Mechanical Power Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Tanta, EgyptFollow
Mohammed Osama Elsamadony Dr. Eng., Mechanical Power Engineering Departments, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Tanta, EgyptFollow
Moustafa Ghazaly Eng., Mechanical Power Eng. Departments, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Tanta, EgyptFollow

DOI

10.70259/engJER.2024.861809

Abstract

This study explores the impact of using a diesel, biodiesel, and toluene additive fuel blend in a multi-cylinder direct injection diesel engine, focusing on both performance and emissions characteristics. Biodiesel, made from renewable sources like vegetable oils, is often added to diesel to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and improve combustion due to its higher oxygen content. In this work, a 45% biodiesel blend (B45) led to significant reductions in particulate matter (PM) emissions by up to 40% compared to conventional diesel. Additionally, carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions decreased by up to 30% and 25%, respectively, due to biodiesel's cleaner combustion properties. However, biodiesel’s lower energy density compared to diesel, caused engine power to drop by 2-5% and increased fuel consumption by 3-6%, reducing overall engine efficiency. To address these drawbacks, toluene was added to the fuel blend. When toluene was added in a concentrations of 5-10% by volume, it increased the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of the engine by 4-10%, offsetting the power losses associated with biodiesel. Toluene also improves fuel atomization, leading tofiner spray patterns and a more complete and efficient combustion process. This improved combustion process further reduces CO and HC emissions beyond what biodiesel alone could achieve. This improved combustion process further reduced CO and HC emissions beyond what biodiesel alone could achieve. Another advantage of toluene is its ability to enhance combustion stability, reducing cylinder-to-cylinder variations and improving knock resistance. However, a challenge when using biodiesel, particularly with toluene, is the potential increase in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Biodiesel’s higher combustion temperatures contribute to higher NOx formation, and while toluene enhances combustion, it may also raise these temperatures further, increasing NOx emissions by 10-20%. Therefore, precise tuning of engine parameters like injection timing and pressure is required to balance the benefits of improved performance and reduced CO, HC, and PM emissions with the potential rise in NOx emissions.

Recommended Citation

Bastawissi, Hagar Alm-Eldin; Elkelawy, Medhat Prof. Dr. Eng.; Elsamadony, Mohammed Osama Dr. Eng.; and Ghazaly, Moustafa Eng. (2024) "Performance and Emissions Characteristics of Multi-Cylinder Direct Injection Diesel Engine Fuelled with Diesel/Biodiesel and Toluene Additives," Journal of Engineering Research: Vol. 8: Iss. 6, Article 11.
DOI: 10.70259/engJER.2024.861809
Available at: https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/erjeng/vol8/iss6/11