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Effect of Oxygenated Cetane Improver on Diesel Engine Combustion & Emissions

Student:

Howard Hess

Sponsor:

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Program Manager - Peter J. A. Tijm

Objective:

To compare combustion and emissions impacts of incorporating various oxygenates into diesel fuels.

Approach:

The primary oxygenated fuel additive of interest in this study is CETANERTM, which is produced by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. from dimethyl ether through an oxidative coupling process. We are considering this additive and other oxygenates in our Yanmar IDI single-cylinder engine and the VW TDI 1.9L turbodiesel. Total particulate, particulate composition, CO, NOx and total hydrocarbon emissions are monitored for a base diesel fuel and for the fuel containing various oxygenate concentrations (typically at or below 4 wt% oxygen).

Results:

In the experimental work completed, several oxygenates have been blended with a premium diesel fuel to yield an oxygen content of 4 wt% in the fuel blend. Results have shown that with these blends, particulate emissions can be reduced by as much as 28% when compared to premium diesel fuel. The following are results from the Yanmar TS-180 IDI single-cylinder engine.


Yanmar TS-180 IDI single-cylinder engine photo

Table 1. Oxygenate blends selected for evaluation.

Oxygenate Blended

Structure

Notation

Wt% oxygen

Blend Ratio

Diethylene glycol methyl ether
CH3OC2H4OC2H4OH
DGME
40.0
10/90
Triethylene glycol dimethyl ether
CH3O(C2H4O)3CH3
Triglyme
36.0
11/89
Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether
CH3O(C2H4O)2CH3
Diglyme
35.8
11/89
1,2-dimethoxyethane
CH3O(C2H4O)1CH3
Glyme
35.6
11/89
CETANERTM *
CETANERTM
36.5
11/89
96% 1,2-dimethoxyethane
CH3OCH2CH2OCH3
(35.6)
4% dimethoxymethane
CH3OCH2OCH3
(59.3)
Methyl Soyate
Mixed esters
Me Soyate
11.0
35/65

*Simplified mixture chosen to represent a potential CETANERTM formulation.

Table 2. Engine test matrix (11,12)

 

Mode 1

Mode 2

Mode 3

Mode 4

Speed (RPM)
2200
2002
1760
1386
% Rated Speed
100
91
80
63
Power (hp)
12.26
8.77
5.32
2.03
% Rated Power
81.7
58.5
35.5
13.5
Weighting Factor
0.2
0.5
0.15
0.15

Table 3. Results from Testing of Several Fuel Properties.

Oxygenate Blend Tested

Saybolt Viscosity

(SUS), 100ºF

Gravity
(° API)

Cloud Point (ºF)

Flash Point (ºF)

Heat of Combustion (BTU/lb)

ASTM Specification

32.6-40.1

Min 30

Max 0

Min 125

-------

Premium Diesel Fuel

34.8

45

<0

160

19,707

DGME

35.7

41

<0

157

19,118

Triglyme

32.3

44

<0

173

18,909

Diglyme

34.0

51

<0

147

18,856

Glyme

32.0

48

<0

<67

18, 613

CETANERTM

34.3

45

<0

<67

18,867

Methyl Soyate

41.4

43

8

180

18,793


Table 4. Total Brake-Specific Particulate Emissions, g/kWhr.

 

% wt Oxygen In Blend

BS PM, g/kWhr

% Reduction from Baseline (*)

Baseline BP Premium Diesel Fuel

-----

0.673

-----

DGME

4.12

0.625

7.2 ± 16.4%

Triglyme

3.96

0.573

14.9 ± 10.5%

Diglyme

3.94

0.484

28.1 ± 13.6%

Glyme

3.97

0.481

28.5 ± 14.1%

CETANERTM

4.00

0.491

27.0 ± 11.6%

Methyl Soyate

3.88

0.508

24.5 ± 16.2%

* Error range based upon 95% Confidence Interval.

Key Contact

Andrè Boehman

(814) 865-7839


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