skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: A practical system for the use of alcohol in diesel engines

Book ·
OSTI ID:6447490

The widespread use of diesel engines in the farm community coupled with the capability to produce fuel grade ethyl alcohol from farm grains has generated extensive research into the use of ethanol as an alternate diesel fuel. Since ethanol's basic combustion characteristics and consequent low cetane number make it a poor diesel fuel when directly injected into diesel engines, most studies have emphasized either mixtures of alcohol and diesel fuel or dual fueling systems such as fumigation of the alcohol with the inducted air charge. This study utilized fumigation of ethanol with the aim of developing a simple and practical microchip controlled alcohol injection system suitable for all engine operating conditions. In contrast to most previous fumigation systems, the method selected used multiple injectors with one at each inlet valve location. The results of the investigation have shown that alcohol fumigation of diesel engines is practical in terms of energy replacement and in terms of proof level of alcohol needed.

OSTI ID:
6447490
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English