Impact of Premixed Kerosene Fuel on Performance, Emission and Combustion Characteristics in Partial HCCI Engine

Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) is an advanced combustion strategy that able to reduce nitric oxides (NOx) emissions and increase fuel efficiency simultaneously. This study investigated the effects of premixed kerosene fuel on the auto-ignition characteristics in a light-duty compression ignition engine. A partial HCCI engine was modified from a single cylinder, four-stroke, direct injection compression ignition engine. The partial HCCI is achieved by injecting kerosene fuel into the intake port of the engine, while maintaining diesel fuel injected into the cylinder for combustion triggering. The auto-ignition of kerosene fuel has been studied at various premixed ratios from 0 to 0.65, under constant engine speed of 1600 rpm and 20Nm load. The results for performance, emissions and combustion were compared with those achieved without premixed fuel. From the heat release rate profile, it is observed clearly that two-stage and three-stage ignition occurred in some of the cases. In addition, the increase of premixed ratio to some extent significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO) emissions. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of ICAE