Effects of Ethanol Fumigation on the Performance and Emissions of Diesel Engines

This study aimed to develop an electronic fuel injection system for utilizing ethanol as a fumigant in a single-cylinder, four-stroke, watercooled diesel engine. The engine's emissions and performance were evaluated through experiments to determine the impact of ethanol fumigation. The main objective was to identify the optimal amount of ethanol that could reduce emissions while enhancing performance using a simple fumigation process. The tests were conducted at constant engine speeds and loads, with diesel fuel and ethanol flow rates ranging from 0.2737 to 0.958 kg h-1. The findings indicated that the most effective percentage of ethanol was 0.8767, resulting in the best outcomes. Additionally, the emissions of CO, HC, and NOx remained constant after reaching 21.69% thermal efficiency, indicating the optimal level of fumigation. To better understand the engine behavior observed, the theoretical aspects of diesel engine combustion were combined with the distinct physical and chemical properties of ethanol compared to those of diesel fuel.