Performance and emissions of renewable blends with OME3-5 and HVO in heavy duty and light duty compression ignition engines

Interest in poly(oxymethylene)dimethyl ether (OME3-5) as an alternative to fossil fuels in compression ignition engines has increased owing to its potential for soot reduction. The high oxygen content of the polymer and lack of carbon-carbon bonds and aromatic structures can help to reduce engine out soot emissions. However, OME3-5 is potentially damaging to engine components, and thus engine modifications are required when using neat OME3-5. In the present study, OME3-5 was blended with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), rapeseed methyl ester and the C-8-alcohol 2-ethylhexanol (an isomer of n-octanol) to ensure miscibility. Three blends were designed with an oxygen content of 6.4, 12.8 and 17.8% by mass. Performance and emissions were compared to the reference fuels fossil diesel and HVO in a single cylinder light duty and heavy duty compression ignition engine at different loads. Evaluation of the combustion in both engines showed similar trends: The indicated thermal efficiency was slightly higher for the oxygenated fuel and the combustion duration shorter compared to diesel. Due to the lower heating value of the blends, the indicated specific fuel combustion increased with increasing share of OME3-5 in the blend. For both engines, engine out soot emissions were decreased strongly, whereas NOx emissions were slightly increased. Analysis of the particle size distribution showed a decrease in the particle number of agglomerated particles (>30 nm) for the blends. For the heavy duty engine, an increase in nucleation mode particles (<30 nm) was measured.

Automated summary

Interest in using poly(oxymethylene)dimethyl ether (OME3-5) as an alternative to fossil fuels in compression ignition engines has grown due to its potential for reducing soot emissions. Blending OME3-5 with other substances is necessary to prevent damage to engine components. Research showed that blended oxygenated fuels had slightly higher thermal efficiency and shorter combustion duration, leading to reduced soot emissions.