The effects of natural gas composition on conventional dual-fuel and reactivity-controlled compression ignition combustion in a heavy-duty diesel engine

The use of natural gas (NG) in dual-fuel heavy-duty engines has the potential to reduce pollutant and greenhouse (GHG) emissions from transport sector when compared conventional diesel engines. However, NG composition methane slip are interest because both can adversely affect benefits as an alternative fuel, especially considering GHG emissions. Therefore, this study experimentally investigated effects fuel properties on performance reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) engine operations. Three different mixtures were selected simulate typical compositions available world market, with numbers (MN) 80.9, 87.6 94.1. These fuels tested a single-cylinder operating at 0.6, 1.2 1.8 MPa net indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP). A high-pressure common rail system allowed for various injection strategies while variable valve actuation enabled ratio be adjusted via late intake closing (LIVC). RCCI combustion was found more sensitive changes MN than NG-diesel operation. mixture lowest reduced total unburned hydrocarbons expense higher nitrogen oxides (NOx) efficiency significant 0.6 IMEP, yielding differences up 4.9% between operations highest fuels. Overall, work revealed that combination LIVC achieve 80% lower NOx relatively regime, independent composition.