Low-Temperature Combustion in Diesel Engines

Abstract

The growing energy demand for transportation has led to a shift towards eco-friendly combustion or improved diesel engines with increased efficiency, reduced emissions, and sustainability. Low-temperature combustion (LTC) aims to achieve controlled combustion, balancing optimal performance with lower NOx and SO2 emissions. This chapter summarizes the recent trends in LTC strategies under further exploration such as fuel injection techniques, optimized air-fuel mixing, and accurate combustion phasing management, to discern existing literatures in extensive efforts to reduce flame stability and emissions. Subsequently, LTC faces challenges like stable ignition, precise control, and economical fuel choice. Liquefied biogas, methanol, bio-fuels, and thermo-physically enhanced biofuels are among the LTC diesel alternative fuels under investigation. Higher-octane fuels like biodiesels exhibited promising performance at low to medium loads, while natural gases and dual-fuel mode techniques seen promising choices for high-duty applications. Studies revealed that stakeholder collaboration could make cleaner fuel choices, meeting rigorous emissions rules while operating optimal LTC engines. Therefore, Future LTC research should focus on emission reduction, fuel flexibility, optimum performance at various working conditions, combustion stability, and accurate modeling and simulation.