Diesel-ignited methane dual fuel combustion experiments were performed in a single cylinder research engine (SCRE). Methane was fumigated into the intake manifold and injection of diesel was used to initiate combustion. The engine was operated at a constant speed of 1500 rev/min, and diesel rail pressure was maintained at 500 bar. Diesel injection timing (SOI) was varied to quantify its impact on engine performance and engine-out ISNOx, ISHC, ISCO, and smoke emissions. The SOI sweeps were performed at different net indicated mean effective pressures (IMEPs) of 4.1, 6.5, 9.5, and 12.1 bar. Intake manifold pressure was maintained at 1.5 bar for the 4.1 and 6.5 bar IMEP SOI sweeps and 1.8 bar for the 9.5 and 12.1 bar IMEP SOI sweeps. Advancing SOI to 310o and earlier resulted in reduced ISNOx. However, high methane percent energy substitution (PES) resulted in high ISHC emissions especially at low IMEP.

Diesel-ignited gasoline and diesel-ignited methane dual fuel combustion experiments were performed in a single-cylinder research engine (SCRE), outfitted with a common-rail diesel injection system and a stand-alone engine controller. Gasoline was injected in the intake port using a port-fuel injector, whereas methane was fumigated into the intake manifold. The engine was operated at a constant speed of 1500 rev/min, a constant load of 5.2 bar IMEP, and a constant gasoline/methane energy substitution of 80%. Parameters such as diesel injection timing (SOI), diesel injection pressure, and boost pressure were varied to quantify their impact on engine performance and engineout ISNOx, ISHC, ISCO, and smoke emissions. The change in combustion process from heterogeneous combustion to HCCI like combustion was also observed.

The present manuscript discusses the performance and emission benefits due to two diesel injections in diesel-ignited methane dual fuel Low Temperature Combustion (LTC). A Single Cylinder Research Engine (SCRE) adapted for diesel-ignited methane dual fuelling was operated at 1500 rev/min and 5 bar BMEP with 1.5 bar intake manifold pressure. The first injection was fixed at 310 CAD. A 2nd injection sweep timing was performed to determine the best 2nd injection timing (as 375 CAD) at a fixed Percentage Energy Substitution (PES 75%). The motivation to use a second late injection ATDC was to oxidize Unburnt Hydrocarbons (HC) generated from the dual fuel combustion of first injection. Finally, an injection pressure sweep (550-1300 bar) helped achieve simultaneous reduction of HC (56%) and CO (43%) emissions accompanied with increased IFCE (10%) and combustion efficiency (12%) w.r.t. the baseline single injection (at 310 CAD) of dual fuel LTC.

The objective of this thesis is to investigate and compare the performance and emissions characteristics of diesel-ignited methane and diesel-ignited propane dual fuel LTC in a single cylinder research engine (SCRE) at a constant engine load of 5.1 bar net indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) and at a constant engine speed of 1500 RPM. Percentage of energy substitution of propane or methane (0 - 90 percent), diesel injection timing (SOI: 355 CAD -- 280 CAD), rail pressure (200 bar -- 1300 bar) and boost pressure (1.1 bar -- 1.8 bar) were varied to quantify their impact on engine performance and engine-out ISNOx, ISHC, ISCO, and smoke emissions. Advancing SOI to 310 CAD and beyond yielded simultaneous ISNOx and smoke emissions. A rail pressure of 500 bar was the optimal one for both fueling combinations while increasing boost pressure over 1.2 bar had a very little effect on ISNOx and smoke emissions.

Dual fuel combustion is one strategy to achieve low oxides of nitrogen and soot emissions while maintaining the fuel conversion efficiency of IC engines. However, it also suffers from high engine-out carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon emissions, and the incidence of knock at high loads. The present work focused on CFD simulation of diesel-methane dual fuel combustion in a single-cylinder research engine (SCRE). For pure diesel combustion, a load sweep of 2.5 bar brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) to 7.5 bar BMEP was performed at a constant engine speed of 1500 rpm and a diesel injection pressure of 500 bar. For diesel-methane dual fuel combustion, a methane percent energy substitution sweep was performed from 30% to 90 % at 1500 rpm, 3.3 bar BMEP, 500 bar Pinj, and 355 crank angle degrees (CAD) diesel injection timing. Combustion, performance, and emissions results are presented and compared with experimental data where possible.

This book discusses all aspects of advanced engine technologies, and describes the role of alternative fuels and solution-based modeling studies in meeting the increasingly higher standards of the automotive industry. By promoting research into more efficient and environment-friendly combustion technologies, it helps enable researchers to develop higher-power engines with lower fuel consumption, emissions, and noise levels. Over the course of 12 chapters, it covers research in areas such as homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion and control strategies, the use of alternative fuels and additives in combination with new combustion technology and novel approaches to recover the pumping loss in the spark ignition engine. The book will serve as a valuable resource for academic researchers and professional automotive engineers alike.