Experimental characterization of GTL, HVO, and OME based alternative fuels for diesel engines

A promising way to reduce the environmental impact of compression ignition engines is represented by alternative fuels. These can be advantageous regarding both CO2 intensity and/or because of favourable combustion and emission characteristics. In the present study, eight fuels were tested experimentally. Conventional diesel was used as reference fuel. GTL and HVO were tested neat and blended with diesel at 20 vol%. 7 vol% and 15 vol % OME in diesel were tested as well. Finally a blend of 18 vol% OME in HVO was also investigated. This last blend, called R100, represents a potentially fully renewable fuel compliant with the EN590 standard regarding viscosity and density. The combustion and emissions behaviour of the test fuels were investigated in order to find distinguishing features. All the alternative fuels improve the emissions of soot and NOx. Oxygenated fuels were found to mix faster with air while the behaviour of the paraffinic fuels depends on their molecular length.

Automated summary

The study experimented with eight fuels, finding that all alternative fuels improved emissions of soot and NOx. Oxygenated fuels mixed faster with air, while the behavior of paraffinic fuels depended on molecular length.