Abstract

Due to the energy crisis and pollution problems, investigations have focused on decreasing fuel consumption and lowering the concentration of toxic components in combustion products by using alternative, non-petroleum and non-polluting fuels. While conventional energy sources such as natural gas, oil and coal are non-renewable, alcohol can be coupled to renewable and sustainable energy sources. In this study, the combustion characteristics and emissions of diesel fuel and methanol blends were compared. The tests were performed at steady state conditions in a four-cylinder DI diesel engine at full load at 1500-rpm engine speed. The experimental results showed that diesel methanol blends provide significant reductions in CO, unburned HC, and limited increase in NOx emissions. In addition, a reduction in engine noise was demonstrated by increasing methanol portion in blends.

The article was added to IASJ on 2012-07-31

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