Testing of formulated fuel with variable aromatic type and contents in a compression-ignition engine

Fuels used in various combustion engines necessitate deep understanding of the fuel components before being used as a feedstock with present engine technology. Fuel components impact the efficiency of the engine along with the formation of pollutant emissions. Aromatics are important component of the fossil-based diesel fuel, which highly affects the tailpipe emissions. Therefore, the study of aromatics has a great significance for diesel engine. A comprehensive study with a total of 13 different aromatics was performed to investigate the impact of their structure and content on diesel engine characteristics. Diesel, pure higher chain alkanes and single added aromatics were blended as ternary mixture. Detailed spray investigations were carried out at an injection pressure of 200 bar using a three-hole nozzle of diesel engine. The aromatic structure and content highly influenced the emission and performance characteristics. A blending ratio of 10% aromatics in base fuel shows promising results compared to 5% and 15% blending content of aromatics in the base fuel. Higher aromatics blending in ternary mixture led to higher particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and unburnt hydrocarbon emissions. Due to higher degree of unsaturation, polycyclic single and double ring aromatics produce higher pollutant emissions compared to single ring monocyclic aromatics.