Performance and emission characteristics of QHCCI dimethyl ether engine

Abstract

Experimental investigation into the effects of different pilot amounts of dimethyl ether (DME) on the performance and emission of a single-cylinder direct-injection DME engine is conducted. The results show that a DME engine can operate at a wider range of speeds and loads at quasi-homogenous charge compression ignition (QHCCI) mode. The brake thermal efficiency increases while the exhaust temperature decreases. NO_x emission decreases by about 30%–50% although there is a slight increase in HC and CO emissions. NO_x, HC and CO emissions increase with an increase in the amount of DME pilot. QHCCI is a good way to increase thermal efficiency and decrease NO_x emission.

Keywords

dimethyl ether (DME) / quasi-homogenous charge compression ignition (QHCCI) / emission