The influence of fuel supply parameters on the dual-fuel engine performance

Introduction. Modern research in the area of internal combustion engines are focused on searching and investigating the technologies that will improve fuel efficiency and decrease emissions. Application of dual-fuel engines is considered as a potential solution of these problems. In the dual-fuel engine, natural gas-air mixture is ignited by a small amount of the diesel fuel directly injected into a combustion chamber. Pilot fuel injection parameters can strongly affect combustion process. This paper is devoted to the investigation of the effect of fuel supply parameters on the dual-fuel engine combustion process.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of such parameters as pilot fuel mass, pilot fuel injection pressure, pilot fuel injection timing and excess air ratio on combustion process.

Methodology and research methods. Based on the data obtained during the bench tests conducted with the use of the measurement equipment, the dependences of engine characteristics from the fuel supply parameters under review and the heat release rate curves were obtained. Optimal value for every investigated parameter was chosen. The combustion process indicators were calculated for each operating mode.

Scientific novelty and results. The result of the investigation is consist in obtaining new data on combustion process parameters adjusting based on the heat release rate curves for the operating modes under review. Based on the obtained results, coefficient m for heat release rate was calculated for each operating point, according to Vibe’s equation.

Practical significance. The results of the conducted investigation can be applied when designing modern heavy-duty dual-fuel engines.

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