Detailed analysis of particulate emissions of a multi-cylinder dual-mode dual-fuel engine operating with diesel and gasoline

Internal combustion engines are still within the future of highway transport. Low-temperature combustion modes are prone to substitute conventional diesel combustion engines, seeking better performance and improved emissions control. The dual-mode dual-fuel combustion approach has been confirmed as a feasible combustion mode for achieving ultra-low NOx and soot emissions simultaneously. The aim of this work is to experimentally measure the particle emissions of the dual-mode dual-fuel concept while maintaining good thermal efficiency and EURO VI engine-out NOx levels. A detailed analysis of the most relevant characteristics of the particle size distribution is carried out to depict the requirements of a potential filtering system considering the effects of an upstream diesel oxidation catalyst. The results show that total particle numbering is within the typical values of the current most popular technologies: around 2.1013 #/kWh for RCCI and around 1014 #/kWh for DMDF. RCCI combustion tends to produce more particles sized below 35 nm in diameter, while DMDF shows a clear dominance of sizes above 40 nm. In terms of total particulate matter, RCCI results in total mass concentrations around 4 mg/kWh thanks to the highly premixed combustion, but diffusive combustion mode results in total mass emissions over 50 mg/kWh.

Automated summary

This study aims to experimentally measure the particle emissions of the dual-mode dual-fuel combustion concept and analyze the particle size distribution, in order to design a potential filtering system. The results show that the dual-mode dual-fuel combustion can achieve ultra-low NOx and soot emissions simultaneously, but the characteristics of the particles may vary with different combustion modes.