Abstract
A research on the NOx reduction potential in diesel engine emissions injecting a 50% water-bioethanol blend in the engine intake system was carried out. Experiments were conducted on the test bench equipped with an Opel 16 DA four-cylinder 1.6-litre diesel engine and a two-tank system to run the engine on rapeseed oil. Toxic emissions were estimated using AVL SESAM FTIR multicomponent exhaust gas analytical system; the fuel consumption was measured using Kern 440-49A electronic weighing system. Three repetitions at the 1500 min-1 and 2500 min-1 engine crankshaft rotational speeds were performed; duration of each repetition - 120 seconds. Investigation results showed that such approach can reduce the nitrogen oxide content in exhaust gases by 32%, without significantly affecting other toxic emissions, at the same time reducing fuel consumption by 16-21%. Both rapeseed oil fuel and additive WE50 were derived from renewable resources, which plays an important role in elimination of climate changes.