Experimental analysis of combustion with the use of ethanol-biodiesel-diesel blends in diesel generator sets

Abstract

This study aims to experimentally investigate the effects of using different percentages of ethanol-biodiesel-diesel blends in diesel internal combustion engines and to analyze energy and combustion parameters. The experiments were conducted on a single-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled, and constant-speed diesel generator set with a rated electrical power of 4.5 kW and 79% of full engine load (3.54kW). Temperature, fuel flow, AVL pressure, and rotation sensors were installed on the crankshaft and inside the cylinder. The fuels used were commercial diesel (S-10) and blends with 1%, 2%, and 3% of anhydrous ethanol added to diesel, changing the injection pressure in only one blend. The results show a decrease in thermal efficiency and an increase in fuel consumption, in addition to an increase in ignition delay, an increase in combustion duration, a decrease in in-cylinder pressure, and a decrease in the heat release rate as the percentage of ethanol increased.