Hydrogen influence on kapok methyl ester blended with DEE as an alternate fuel in CI engine

Abstract

Kapok oil methyl ester (KOME) is used as a pilot fuel, while hydrogen and diethyl ether (DEE) are used as secondary fuels to improve the performance, emissions and combustion of a direct injection compression ignition engine. With a compression ignition engine, a slight modification to the system enables hydrogen gas through the intake manifold. A flow metre limits the quantity of energy the hydrogen may produce off, and two flame arresters prevent backfires in the fuel line. At full load and maximum hydrogen energy sharing, KOME + 20%DEE obtained a brake thermal efficiency of 30.31%, which is 14% higher than without hydrogen enrichment and about 8% higher than diesel's value (0% hydrogen energy share). The main problem with previous research is that hydrogen with a high heating value makes greater amounts of nitric oxide. Diethyl ether, on the other hand, has fixed this major problem, and the absence of carbon in hydrogen fuel lowers CO, HC and smoke emissions.