Investigating the impact of copper leaching on combustion characteristics and particulate emissions in HPCR diesel engines

Abstract

A helicoidally shaped copper duct was installed along the fuel line just before the high pressure pump. The impact of fuel contamination from this copper duct on combustion and emission characteristics of a Direct Injection High Pressure Common Rail (DI HPCR) diesel engine was investigated. The copper duct constitutes the core of a fuel conditioning device, powered from the battery. A single cylinder Ricardo Hydra research engine with the cylinder head, piston assembly and crankshaft from a production 2.2 L DI diesel engine was used in the investigation. Combustion characteristics were analysed via postprocessing pressure measurements, while an AVL Smoke Meter was used to monitor particulate emissions. A diesel fuel with a copper content of less than 0.2ppm was used.Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis of the fuel showed copper leaching into the fuel, with 1 ppm Cu being found in the fuel after flowing through the helicoidally shaped duct. Recirculation of fuel to the tank led to an increase of Cu concentration in the fuel. A pilot plus main strategy was used to achieve a target Brake Mean Effect Pressure (BMEP) typical of medium load. Soot reduction in the range of 7-14% was measured when the device was connected to the fuel line, compared to the baseline. The initiation and early development of combustion was also investigated using an unstirred, quiescent combustion chamber with optical access, and the results corroborate findings from the engine work.

Assessment of retrofit devices for the Horizon 2020 Cleanest Engine and Vehicle Retrofit Prizes

“…If this is happening and how the emissions are affected is not clear, but at our testing the results were not promising. A system that applied voltage at a copper coil, [11], similar to the fuel magnetic device of our study, concluded that it was possible to notice a particulate reduction. The explanation was that the copper leached in the fuel catalytically aided the combustion, but the effect was noticeable only when the fuel was in the tank for some time.…”

Diesel Spray: Development of Spray in Diesel Engine

“…As mentioned above, the increase in injection pressure is considered as a promising approach to enhance combustion behaviors [9][10][11][12][13]. High-pressure injected diesel fuel could improve the engine performance and reduce particulate matter [14][15][16][17][18]. In addition to that, the increased injection pressure tends to accelerate the vaporization of droplets and the preparation of the combustible mixture [19][20][21][22][23].…”

Thermodynamics analysis and performance optimization of a reheat – Regenerative steam turbine power plant with feed water heaters

“…This is purposely to develop efficient ways for energy generation and conservation that avoid the production of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change [13,14]. Improving performance indices such as thermal efficiency of thermal power plant plays a fundamental role in reducing consumption of limited energy resources and environmental impacts [15,16]. Performance improvements in thermodynamic cycles for efficient production of a steam thermal power plant have become increasingly important in the actual worldwide sustainability context due to its implications of net incremental power output and investment cost savings [17,18].…”