Experimental Assessment of the Impact of Replacing Diesel Fuel with CNG on the Concentration of Harmful Substances in Exhaust Gases in a Dual Fuel Diesel Engine

Abstract

The problem of global warming and related climate change, as well as rising oil prices, is driving the implementation of ideas that not only reduce the consumption of liquid fuels, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One of them is the use of natural gas as an energy source. It is a hydrocarbon fuel with properties allowing the reduction of CO2 emissions during its combustion. Therefore, solutions are being implemented that allow natural gas to be supplied to means of transport, which are trucks of various categories and purposes. This article presents the results of tests of an engine from a used semi-truck, to which an innovative compressed natural gas (CNG) supply system was installed. This installation (both hardware and software), depending on the engine operating conditions, enables mass replacement by natural gas (up to 90%) of the basic fuel—diesel oil. During the tests, on the basis of the obtained results, the influence of the diesel fuel/CNG exchange ratio under various engine operating conditions on the concentration of toxic CO2, CO, NO, NO2, CH4, C2H6, NMHC, NH3 and exhaust smoke was assessed. The test results confirm that, compared to conventional fueling, the diesel/CNG-fueled engine allows for a significant reduction in CO2 concentration even in a car operated for several years with diesel fuel and with high mileage. The use of a non-factory installation significantly increased the concentration of methane CH4, nitrogen dioxide NO2 and carbon monoxide CO in the exhaust gas. It was found that the smoke content and the temperature of exhaust gases did not decrease with increasing ratio of fuel replacement. The concentration of CO, NOX, CH4 and NMHC was increased, while the concentration of CO2, C2H6, NH3 and the consumption of diesel fuel by the engine, decreased significantly. The innovation of the research is based on the use of a modern and unique engine gas fuel system control system where the original fuel supply system with unit pumps is able to reduce diesel oil consumption by up to 90%.

Exploring Hydrogen-Enriched Fuels and the Promise of HCNG in Industrial Dual-Fuel Engines

“…ICEs have a remarkable ability to serve as sources of electrical power [11]. Hydrogen-modified fuels can, therefore, be used primarily in reciprocating engines, among which CI DF engines show the highest efficiency in using the energy contained in the fuel, as the author has already demonstrated in previous publications [12][13][14][15]. In the 2050 scenario, the potential for hydrogen production can be observed when all energy demand is supplied by photovoltaic energy, and there will still be excess energy in the energy system.…”

Multi-Criteria Analysis of Semi-Trucks with Conventional and Eco-Drives on the EU Market

“…This encompasses the overall expenses (acquisition, maintenance, operation, energy consumption), distance coverage, capacity and payload restrictions, influence on transportation costs and logistics, environmental consequences, and other relevant factors. Previously, scholars in this field have examined certain elements [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. This publication provides a comprehensive and expansive view of this issue.…”

New Aspects of the Pulse Combustion Process

“…The main product of the combustion of hydrocarbons is carbon dioxide, which is considered a greenhouse gas [3]. In the era of attempts to reduce these emissions, newer and better methods of combustion are being developed, on an industrial [4,5] as well as a smaller scale, e.g., in transport [3,[6][7][8]. Regardless of this, emission reduction can be achieved by burning "new" ecological fuels [9].…”