Evaluation of the Effect of Fuel Properties on the Fuel Spray and Jet Characteristics in a HGV DI Diesel Engine Operated by Used Cooking Oils

Abstract

Fuel injection systems in modern diesel engines are designed and built to comply with very stringent environmental standards. They should also meet the highest level of fuel economy. Drivability, rapid response and easy and accurate control are a common demand. Changing the fuel characteristics could affect the performance of the fuel injection system. This study focuses on the evaluation of fuel spray characteristics of straight used cooking oil (SUCO) and its blends with petroleum diesel (PD) as a surrogate for pure PD. Used cooking oil blends have quite different physical properties from those of pure PD. Data for the lower heating value (LHV), density and viscosity were obtained from laboratory analysis. These data were merged with the physical and thermodynamic conditions of the diesel engine of interest to evaluate the dynamic behaviour of the fuel jet in 360° of crank rotation namely, the compression stroke, and the power stroke including the injection process. Engine operational conditions were calculated using a diesel dual thermodynamic cycle taking into account fuel injection adjustment at three different speeds, namely, idle speed, maximum torque speed and rated power speed. The results showed that fuel jet characteristics vary with SUCO content in the fuel blend. Two ranges of SUCO content in the blends were distinguished, 0 – 80% SUCO content and 80 – 100% SUCO content. Both showed a constant rate of change of jet characters per 10% increase in SUCO content in the fuel blend. Lower rates of change of fuel characters were observed at 0-80% SUCO content. The higher the temperature, the lower the rate of change of fuel jet characteristics.