Assessment of performance, combustion and emissions characteristics of methanol-diesel dual-fuel compression ignition engine: A review

The energy security concern and rapidly diminishing fossil fuel resources demand the development of renewable and economically attractive fuel for reciprocating engines. Methanol is a promising renewable alternative fuel. Numerous studies have been carried out to explore the various aspects of the utilization of methanol in compression ignition (CI) engine. This review paper presents a detailed analysis of the effect of methanol on performance, combustion, and emission (NOx, CO, HC, and soot) characteristics of conventional CI-engine along with dual-fuel combustion mode. This study focuses on methanol utilization in dual-fuel mode, which is an advanced engine combustion mode. First, methanol production and solubility issues of methanol in diesel are briefly discussed. This study discusses the soot and nano-particle emission from the methanol fueled CI-engine, which is one of the main concerns in the current emission legislation. It was found that the utilization of methanol in CI-engine has the potential to improve the performance and simultaneously with a significant reduction in NOx, CO, soot, and nano-particle emissions in comparison to neat diesel operation. However, unburnt HC emission reduces for methanol-diesel blended fuel operation whereas HC emissions are higher for methanoldiesel dual-fuel operation. (C) 2021 Periodical Offices of Chang'an University. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the utilization of methanol in compression ignition engines, particularly in dual-fuel combustion mode, which can significantly reduce NOx, CO, soot, and nano-particle emissions. The combustion of methanol-diesel blended fuel shows potential to enhance performance while reducing emissions, although unburnt HC emissions may increase in methanol-diesel dual-fuel operation.