Numerical Simulation of a Compression Ignition Engine Using Biodiesel Fuel Available to Purchase

Increasing concerns over pollutant emissions from diesel engines have prompted researchers to find replacement fuels for diesel engines. The use of alternative fuels such as biodiesel in compression-ignition (CI) engines is beneficial to the environment as it reduces emissions of pollutants with slight penalty on the performance. This paper investigated the use of biodiesel fuel (rapeseed oil) in a CI engine by numerical simulations. The numerical simulations were based on the models of finite heat release, cylinder heat transfer, and friction losses. Simulations were carried out to evaluate the effects of compression ratio, equivalence ratio, and engine speed on the performance of the CI engine. The results of the simulations were compared with experimental data from the literature to validate the simulations. Good agreements between the computed and experimental results were obtained. The results showed that the current model could satisfactorily predict the performance of a biodiesel-fueled CI engine.