Simultaneous reduction of NO<sub><italic>x</italic></sub> and smoke from a direct-injection diesel engine with exhaust gas recirculation and diethyl ether

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Simultaneous reduction of NO_x and smoke from a direct-injection diesel engine with exhaust gas recirculation and diethyl ether

Anand, R / Mahalakshmi, N V

An experimental investigation was carried out to analyse the simultaneous reduction of oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) and smoke emissions. The tests were performed on a single-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine. The engine was made to run on both pure diesel and diethyl ether (DEE)-diesel blends. The DEE-diesel blends were prepared by mixing certain proportions of DEE and diesel fuel. The amount of DEE in the diesel fuel blend was varied up to 30 vol % in steps of 10 vol % by volume. The results obtained from DEE-diesel blends were compared with those from pure diesel and it was found that the 20 vol % DEE-diesel blend resulted in the optimum performance and emission characteristics. The study was further extended by using exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) with 20 per cent DEE-diesel blend and pure diesel. At 5 vol % EGR operated with 20 vol % DEE-diesel blend, there is a simultaneous reduction of NO_x and smoke emissions by 54 per cent and 20 per cent respectively. In contrast, in the case of the pure diesel mode, when the EGR rate was increased, NO_x emission was reduced at the expense of smoke emissions. The alternative fuel, namely the DEE-diesel blend shows very promising results with respect to emissions, efficiency, and durability.