Biodiesel Combustion and Emissions in Engines Using Modern Common-Rail Fuel Injection Systems

This study performed experimental testing of a multi-cylinder diesel engine using different blends of biodiesel and diesel fuel. The engine used an electronically-controlled common-rail fuel injection system to achieve a high injection pressure. The operating parameters that were investigated included the injection pressure, injection timing, and exhaust gas recirculation rate. Results showed that biodiesel generally reduced soot emissions and increased NOx emissions. The increase in NOx emissions was not due to the injection timing shift when biodiesel was used because the present fuel injection system was able to give the same fuel injection timing. At high exhaust gas recirculation rates, emissions using regular diesel and 20% biodiesel blends are very similar while 100% biodiesel produces relatively different emission levels. Therefore, the increase in NOx emissions may not be a concern when 20% biodiesel blends are used with high exhaust gas recirculation rates in order to achieve low temperature combustion conditions.