Mitigating carcinogenic smoke opacity in a light-duty diesel engine by utilizing cyclohexanol, polyethylene glycol,...

Diesel fuel reformulation is an attractive method to reduce hazardous smoke emissions because it does not require modifications to the existing engine infrastructure. As the concerns about global warming and air pollution are mounting, high-efficiency diesel engines with low smoke emissions have become more attractive. This study demonstrates that three alcohols, viz. cyclohexanol, polyethylene glycol, and 2-methoxyethanol, can be added to fossil diesel up to 3% by vol. to reduce carcinogenic smoke emissions in a one-cylinder, common rail direct injection (CRDI) diesel engine. The experimental investigations revealed that smoke could be reduced by up to 66.2%, 39.6% and 14% using 3% by vol. addition of cyclohexanol, polyethylene glycol, and 2-methoxyethanol to diesel, respectively, when compared to pure diesel operation. 1% addition by vol. of cyclohexanol and 2-methoxyethanol could reduce NOx and smoke emissions under all load conditions. CO emissions are slightly higher for all alcohol at high load conditions. HC emissions for the test fuels are lower than pure diesel operation at low load conditions, increasing at high loads. These emissions, however, can be reduced by using suitable after-treatment devices.