Performance of pure OME and various HVO–OME fuel blends as alternative fuels for a diesel engine

Since the potential for reducing CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels is limited, suitable CO₂-neutral fuels are required for applications which cannot reasonably be electrified, and therefore still rely on internal combustion engines in the future. Potential fuel candidates for CI engines are either paraffinic diesel fuels or new fuels like POMDME (polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether, short “OME”). Besides, also blends of these two types of fuels might be of interest. While many studies have been conducted on OME blends with fossil diesel fuel, the research on HVO–OME blends has been less extensive to date.

In the current work, pure OME and HVO–OME blends are investigated in a single-cylinder research engine. The test results of the various fuel blend formulations are compared and evaluated, particularly with regard to soot-NO_x trade-off behavior. The primary objective of the study is to examine whether the major potential of blending these two fuels is already largely exploited at low OME content, or if significant additional emission reduction potential can still be found with higher content blends, but still without the need to switch to pure OME operation. Furthermore, the fuel blend which is best suited for the realization of an ultra-low emission concept under the current technical conditions should be identified. In addition, three different injector designs were tested for operation on pure OME3-5, differing both in hydraulic flow and in the number of injection holes as well as their layout. The optimum configuration is evaluated with regard to emissions, normalized heat release and indicated efficiency.