Bioethanol-Diesel Blends Used in Diesel Engines and Vehicles under Transient Operation

Abstract

This book chapter describes, the experiences of different experimental works related to the study of the effect of bioethanol-diesel fuel blends directly used on a study about the integrity of some parts of a diesel injection system, and on performance and regulated emissions of engines and/or vehicles under different transient conditions. The experiences described are carried out in an engine test bench, two public busses under urban transportation and a construction machine in an actual railway construction. A bioethanol-diesel fuel blend with 10% v/v of bioethanol was used for engine testing to study the potential effect on performance and emissions. Later, a blend with around 8% v/v of alcohol concentration was selected to carry out the experimental work with an injection system and with busses and construction machinery. This work points out the most important advantages and disadvantages of the use of bioethanol blended with diesel fuel. The most important strength is the potential of these fuel blends for reducing particle matter without penalty in nitrogen oxides emissions. As main weakness can be cited the need for adding a stabilizer additive which restricts the desirable increase of bioethanol content in the blend.