Use of Ethanol Based Oxygenates for Smoke Reduction in C.I. Engines

Diesel Engines have better fuel economy compared to gasoline engines. Society is now aware of various harmful effects of pollution and various researchers are trying to use fuel reformulation method to meet the forthcoming stringent air pollution norms for the diesel engines. This paper presents an experimental investigation on use of three different low price ethanol based oxygenate-diesel blends (oxygenate 4, 8 and 12% in blend) as an oxygen enriched fuel in diesel engine and its effect on brake thermal efficiency, smoke density and emissions of CO, HC, NOx etc is studied. It was observed that there is substantial reduction in the smoke density of exhaust gases and the observed reduction was found proportional to the mass of oxygen present in the blend. Marginal increase in NOx and brake thermal efficiency was observed and there was no significant change in the brake power of the engine.