Effect of Fuel Intake Temperature on Performance and Emission of Diesel Engine

Abstract

Heating diesel fuel before injecting into the engine cylinder is the technique employed in this experiment with the primary objective of improving combustion and decreasing emission. This results in gasification of diesel when injected into the engine cylinder leading to better mixing, evaporation and combustion of diesel fuel. This also results in decrease of physical delay period. Experiments are done at standard injection timing with preheating done in the interval of 100°C, 175°C and 250°C. At each temperature, readings are taken at no load, 25%, 50% and 75% of full load. It is observed that preheating results in decreased emission of CO and HC at all the loads. At 50% and 75% load CO and HC decreased by about 35% and 50% respectively. NOx is also increased showing that combustion of diesel fuel is improved. Maximum brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and minimum brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) is obtained at preheating temperature of 100°C at 75% load condition. With increase in load condition, performance is found to be better at higher preheating temperature. With increase in preheating temperature, performance and emission is better and efficient. Performance improvement is better at 50% load than at no load and 25% load.