Influence of Advanced Biofuel Blending with Diesel on the Heat Release, Combustion and Gaseous Emissions Characteristics of a Compression Ignition Engine

Advanced biofuels are potential low-carbon alternatives to diesel for use in compression ignition (CI) engines. Heat release rates (HRR) and engine emissions may change due to the blending of advanced biofuels. In this study, blends of an alkyl levulinate, a dialkyl ether, and an alcohol were mixed with dieseland tested in a CI engine. Increases in peak HRRs when using the biofuel blends typically correlated with increases in ignition delay times (IDTs). Changes in peak HRR, adiabatic flame temperatures, and charge cooling effects of the biofuel components, influenced nitrogen oxide emissions. Comparisons between gas phase simulations and experimentally observed trends in IDTs highlighted the importance of the physical processes of fuel injection and mixing on IDTs.