Numerical Analysis of the Effects of Swirl Ratio on the Performance of Diesel Engine Fueled with N-Butanol–Diesel Blends
Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 145, Issue 3
Abstract
The use of renewable alternative fuels in diesel engines has grown recently. In order to study the effects of different swirl ratios (SRs) on the performance of a diesel engine fueled with n-butanol–diesel blends, the combustion process of a 186FA diesel engine with pure diesel, 20% n-butanol and 80% diesel fuel by volume (BU20) and 30% n-butanol and 70% diesel fuel by volume (B30) fuel at five swirl ratios was simulated using AVL Fire software. The simulation model was validated by comparing the calculation results and experimental results with the in-cylinder pressure, heat release rate, and emissions of soot and nitrogen oxides (). This paper analyzes the effects of the different swirl ratios on combustion and emissions characteristics and on the concentration field in the cylinder. The results show that soot generation for the three kinds of fuels gradually decreases with the increase of the swirl ratio (SR). For BU20, the soot mass fraction of SR0.2 was , and the largest decline in soot generation was 82%. NO emissions first increased and then decreased with the increase of the swirl ratio for BU20 and BU30. For BU20, the NO formation for SR0.2 was , and when the swirl ratio was 1.8, NO formation reached its highest level of , increasing by 46%. As a compromise between enhancing power output and reducing emissions, a swirl ratio of 1 was optimal for pure diesel and a swirl ratio of 3.4 was optimal for BU20 and BU30.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported financially by the National Key Research Development Program of China (Grant No. 2017YFB0103402), the Six Talent Peaks Project in Jiangsu Province (JXQC-010), the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, and the Young Backbone Teachers Training Project of Jiangsu University.
References
Abdul, G. C. P., and G. Rajesh. 2015. “Numerical investigation of piston bowl geometry and swirl ratio on emission from diesel engines.” Energy Convers. Manage. 101 (9): 541–551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2015.06.007.
ASTM. 2014. Standard specifications for diesel fuel oils. ASTM D975. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
Binbin, Y., Y. Mingfa, K. C. Wai, Z. Zunqin, and Y. Lang. 2014. “Regulated and unregulated emissions from a compression ignition engine under low temperature combustion fuelled with gasoline and n-butanol/gasoline blends.” Fuel 120 (1): 163–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2013.11.058.
Butts, R., D. Foster, R. Krieger, and M. Andrie. 2010. Investigation of the effects of cetane number, volatility, and total aromatic content on highly-dilute low temperature diesel combustion. Troy, MI: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Byungchul, C., and J. Xiaolong. 2015. “Individual hydrocarbons and particulate matter emission from a turbocharged CRDI diesel engine fueled with n-butanol/diesel blends.” Fuel 154 (8): 188–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2015.03.084.
Chao, J., Y. Mingfa, L. Haifeng, F. L. Chia-fon, and J. Jing. 2011. “Progress in the production and application of n-butanol as a biofuel.” Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev. 15 (8): 4080–4106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.06.001.
Chotwichien, A., A. Luengnaruemitchai, and S. Jai-In. 2009. “Utilization of palm oil alkyl esters as an additive in ethanol–diesel and butanol–diesel blends.” Fuel 88 (9): 1618–1624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2009.02.047.
Cinzia, T., M. Luca, M. Alfredo, V. Gerardo, E. C. Felice, and S, M. Simona. 2011. “Effect of butanol blend on in-cylinder combustion process, part 2: Compression ignition engine.” J. KONES Powertrain Transp. 18 (2): 474–483.
Curran, H. J., E. Fisher, P. A. Glaude, N. M. Marinov, W. J. Pitz, and C. K. Westbrook. 2001. Detailed chemical kinetic modeling of diesel combustion with oxygenated fuels. Troy, MI: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Debnath, B. K., N. Sahoo, B. J. Bora, and U. K. Saha. 2014. “Influence of emulsified palm biodiesel as a pilot fuel in a biogas run dual fuel diesel engine.” J. Energy Eng. 140 (3): A4014005. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000163.
Deshmukh, D., A. Madan Mohan, T. N. C. Anand, and R. V. Ravikrishna. 2012. “Spray characterization of straight vegetable oils at high injection pressures.” Fuel 97 (7): 879–883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2012.01.078.
Dinesh, K. S., and G. Rajesh. 2016. “Numerical investigation of emission reduction techniques applied on methanol blended diesel engine.” Alexandria Eng. J. 55 (2): 1867–1879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2016.02.019.
Gao, Y., J. Deng, C. Li, F. Dang, Z. Liao, Z. Wu, and L. Li 2009. “Experimental study of the spray characteristics of biodiesel based on inedible oil.” Biotechnol. Adv. 27 (5): 616–624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2009.04.022.
Hanjalic, K., M. Popovac, and M. Hadziabdic. 2004. “A robust near-wall elliptic-relaxation eddy-viscosity turbulence model for CFD.” Int. J. Heat Fluid Flow 25 (6): 1047–1051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatfluidflow.2004.07.005.
He, Z., T. Xuan, Y. Xue, Q. Wang, and L. Zhang. 2014. “A numerical study of the effects of injection rate shape on combustion and emission of diesel engines.” Therm. Sci. 18 (1): 67–78. https://doi.org/10.2298/TSCI130810013H.
Jesús, B., M. Jaime, G. Antonio, V. David, and W. Alok. 2017. “Swirl ratio and post injection strategies to improve late cycle diffusion combustion in a light-duty diesel engine.” Appl. Therm. Eng. 123 (8): 365–376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.05.101.
Juhun, S., Z. Vince, and L. Andre. 2004. “Comparison of the impact of intake oxygen enrichment and fuel oxygenation on diesel combustion and emission.” Energy Fuels 18 (5): 1282–1290. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef034103p.
Karabektas, M., and M. Hosoz. 2009. “Performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine using isobutanol-diesel fuel blends.” Renewable Energy 34 (6): 1554–1559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2008.11.003.
Kosmadakis, G. M., F. Moreno, J. Arroyo, M. Munoz, and C. D. Rakopoulos. 2016. “Combustion analysis of a spark-ignition engine fueled on methane-hydrogen blend with variable equivalence ratio using a computational fluid dynamics code.” J. Energy Eng. 142 (2): E4015002. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000300.
Kumar, B. R., and S. Saravanan. 2016. “Effects of iso-butanol/diesel and n-pentanol/diesel blends on performance and emissions of a DI diesel under premixed LTC mode.” Fuel 170 (4): 49–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2015.12.029.
Labeckas, G., S. Slavinskas, and V. Vilutiene. 2015. “Effect of the cetane number improving additive on combustion, performance, and emissions of a DI diesel engine operating on JP-8 fuel.” J. Energy Eng. 142 (2): C4014005. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000222.
Lannuzi, S. E., C. Barro, K. Boulouchos, and J. Burger. 2016. “Combustion behavior and soot formation/oxidation of oxygenated fuels in a cylindrical constant volume chamber.” Fuel 167 (3): 49–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2015.11.060.
Miers, S. A., R. W. Carlson, S. S. McConnell, H. K. Ng, T. Wallner, and J. L. Esper. 2008. Drive cycle analysis of butanol/diesel blends in a light-duty vehicle. Troy, MI: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Miloslaw, J. K. 2011. Exhaust emissions from a diesel passenger car fuelled with a diesel fuel-butanol blends. Troy, MI: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Mingfa, Y., W. Hu, Z. Zunqing, and Y. Yan. 2010. “Experimental study of n-butanol additive and multi-injection on HD diesel engine performance and emissions.” Fuel 89 (9): 2191–2201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2010.04.008.
Nabi, M. N., M. Minami, H. Ogawa, and N. Miyamoto. 2000. Ultra low emission and high performance diesel combustion with highly oxygenated fuel. Troy, MI: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Oğuzhan, D. 2011. “The influence of n-butanol/diesel fuel blends utilization on a small diesel engine performance and emissions.” Fuel 90 (7): 2467–2472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2011.02.033.
Otaka, T., K. Fushimi, E. Kinoshita, and Y. Yoshimoto. 2014. Diesel combustion characteristics of palm oil methyl ester with 1-butanol. Troy, MI: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Park, S. H., H. K. Suh, and C. S. Lee. 2010. “Nozzle flow and atomization characteristics of ethanol blended biodiesel fuel.” Renewable Energy 35 (1): 144–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2009.06.012.
Poonam, S. N., and S. Anoop. 2011. “Production of liquid biofuels from renewable resources.” Progr. Energy Combust. Sci. 37 (1): 52–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2010.01.003.
Quanchang, Z., Y. Mingfa, Z. Zunqing, and Z. Peng. 2010. “Effects of n-butanol on combustion and emissions of low temperature combustion.” [In Chinese.] J. Combust. Sci. Technol. 16 (4): 363–368.
Rakopoulos, C. D., K. A. Antonopoulos, and D. C. Rakopoulos. 2007a. “Development and application of a multi-zone model for combustion and pollutants formation in a direct injection diesel engine running with vegetable oil or its bio-diesel.” Energy Convers. Manage. 48 (7): 1881–1901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2007.01.026.
Rakopoulos, C. D., K. A. Antonopoulos, and D. C. Rakopoulos. 2007b. “Experimental heat release analysis and emissions of a HSDI diesel engine fueled with ethanol-diesel fuel blends.” Energy 32 (10): 1791–1808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2007.03.005.
Rakopoulos, C. D., A. M. Dimaratos, E. G. Giakoumis, and D. C. Rakopoulos. 2011a. “Study of turbocharged diesel engine operation, pollutant emissions and combustion noise radiation during starting with bio-diesel or n-butanol diesel fuel blends.” Appl. Energy 88 (11): 3905–3916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.03.051.
Rakopoulos, C. D., E. G. Giakoumis, D. T. Hountalas, and D. C. Rakopoulos. 2004. The effect of various dynamic, thermodynamic and design parameters on the performance of a turbocharged diesel engine operating under transient load conditions. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Rakopoulos, C. D., D. C. Kyritsis, and D. C. Rakopoulos. 2014. “Special issue on innovative technologies on combustion of biofuels in engines: Issues and challenges.” J. Energy Eng. 140 (3): A2014001. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000193.
Rakopoulos, C. D., C. N. Michos, and E. G. Giakoumis. 2008. “Availability analysis of a syngas fueled spark ignition engine using a multi-zone combustion model.” Energy 33 (9): 1378–1398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2008.05.007.
Rakopoulos, C. D., D. C. Rakopoulos, E. G. Giakoumis, and D. C. Kyritsis. 2011b. “The combustion of n-butanol/diesel fuel blends and its cyclic variability in a DI diesel engine.” Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part A J. Power Energy 225 (3): 289–308. https://doi.org/10.1177/2041296710394256.
Rakopoulos, C. D., D. C. Rakopoulos, G. C. Mavropoulos, and G. M. Kosmadakis. 2018a. “Investigating the EGR rate and temperature impact on diesel engine combustion and emissions under various injection timings and loads by comprehensive two-zone modeling.” Energy 157 (8): 990–1014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.05.178.
Rakopoulos, D. C., C. D. Rakopoulos, E. G. Giakoumis, A. M. Dimaratos, and D. C. Kyritsis. 2010. “Effects of butanol-diesel blends on the performance and emissions of a high-speed DI diesel engine.” Energy Convers. Manage. 51 (10): 1989–1997. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2010.02.032.
Rakopoulos, D. C., C. D. Rakopoulos, E. G. Giakoumis, and R. G. Papagiannakis. 2018b. “Evaluating oxygenated fuel’s influence on combustion and emissions in diesel engines using a two-zone combustion model.” J. Energy Eng. 144 (4): 04018046. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000556.
Rakopoulos, D. C., C. D. Rakopoulos, R. G. Papagiannakis, and D. C. Kyritsis. 2011c. “Combustion heat release analysis of ethanol or n-butanol diesel fuel blends in heavy-duty DI diesel engine.” Fuel 90 (5): 1855–1867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2010.12.003.
Sahim, Z., and O. N. Aksu. 2015. “Experimental investigation of the affects using low ration-butanol/diesel fuel blends on engine performance and exhaust emissions in a turbocharged diesel engine.” Renewable Energy 77 (5): 279–290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2014.11.093.
Sarathy, S. M., P. Oßwald, N. Hansen, and K. Kohse-Höinghaus. 2014. “Alcohol combustion chemistry.” Prog. Energy Combust. Sci. 44 (4): 40–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2014.04.003.
Satish, K., C. J. Hyun, P. Jaedeuk, and l. Moon. 2013. “Advances in diesel-alcohol blends and their effect on the performance and emissions of diesel engine.” Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev. 22 (6): 46–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.01.017.
Shahanwaz, K., P. Rajsekhar, and K. B. Probir. 2018. “Combined effects of piston bowl geometry and spray pattern on mixing, combustion and emissions of a diesel engine: A numerical approach.” Fuel 225 (8): 203–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2018.03.139.
Shengli, W., W. Feihu, L. Xianyin, L. Xin, and J. Kunpeng. 2013. “Numerical analysis on the effect of swirl ratios on swirl chamber combustion system of DI diesel engines.” Energy Convers. Manage. 75 (4): 184–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2013.05.044.
Siwale, L., L. Kristóf, T. Adam, A. Bereczky, M. Mbarawa, and A. Penninger. 2013. “Combustion and emission characteristics of n-butanol/diesel fuel blend in a turbo-charged compression ignition engine.” Fuel 107 (5): 409–418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2012.11.083.
Tingzhou, L., W. Ziwei, L. Yingli, L. Zaifeng, H. Xiaofeng, and Z. Jinling. 2013. “Performance of a diesel engine with ethyl levulinate-diesel blends: A study using grey relational analysis.” Bioresources 8 (2): 2696–2707. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.8.2.2696-2707.
Valentino, G., F. E. Corcione, S. E. Iannuzzi, and S. Serra. 2012. “Experimental study on performance and emissions of a high speed diesel engine fuelled with n-butanol diesel blends under premixed low temperature combustion.” Fuel 92 (1): 295–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2011.07.035.
Wagner, R. S. T., and G. S. Rogerio. 2018. “1D modeling of SI engine using n-butanol as fuel: Adjust of fuel properties and comparison between measurements and simulation.” Energy Convers. Manage. 157 (2): 224–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2017.12.003.
Xiangrong, L., Q. Zhenyang, S. Liwang, L. Xiaolun, and L. Fushui. 2017. “The combustion and emission characteristics of a multi-swirl combustion system in a DI diesel engine.” Appl. Therm. Eng. 115 (3): 1203–1212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.10.028.
Xuan, L., W. Shengli, L. Hongkun, and C. Ling. 2016. “[In Chinese.] Study on the effect of mixing ratio on the performance of n-butanol diesel fuel mixture.” J. Guangxi Univ. (Nat. Sci. Ed.) 41 (2): 412–418.
Zheng, C., L. Jingping, H. Zhiyu, D. Biao, L. Yun, and L. Chiafon. 2013. “Study on performance and emissions of a passenger-car diesel engine fueled with butanol-diesel blends.” Energy 55 (1): 638–646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2013.03.054.
Zhenzhong, Y., C. Chaoyang, W. Lijun, and H. Yan. 2015. “Effects of H2 addition on combustion and exhaust emissions in a diesel engine.” Fuel 139 (1): 190–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2014.08.057.
Zhihui, Z., C. Suemin, and B. Rajasekhar. 2016. “Comparative evaluation of the effect of butanol-diesel and pentanol-diesel blends on carbonaceous particulate composition and particle number emissions from a diesel.” Fuel 176 (7): 40–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2016.02.061.
Zhiyu, H., Q. Zanqing, C. Zheng, Z. Tingbo, and L. Yun. 2013. “Effect of butanol ratio on diesel-butanol compound injection combustion.” [In Chinese.] J. Combust. Sci. Technol. 19 (3): 201.
Zoldy, M., A. Hollo, and A. Thernesz. 2010. Butanol as a diesel extender option for internal combustion engine. Troy, MI: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Zunqing, Z., Y. Lang, L. Haifeng, Z. Yuxuan, Z. Xiaofan, and W. Jian. 2015. “Effect of injection parameters on low temperature combustion fuelled with diesel blended fuel.” J. Combust. Sci. Technol. 21 (2): 108–113. https://doi.org/10.11715/rskxjs.R201407012.
Zunqing, Z., L. Shanju, L. Haifeng, Y. Mingfa, X. Jia, and Y. Binbin. 2013. “Mechanism of effects of n-butanol properties on low temperature combustion in a diesel engine.” [In Chinese.] Trans. CSICE 31 (2): 97–102.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 145 • Issue 3 • June 2019
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 8, 2018
Accepted: Oct 26, 2018
Published online: Feb 18, 2019
Published in print: Jun 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Jul 18, 2019
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.