Improvement of Exhaust Emission Properties of a Micro Gas Engine Using DME and Butane Mixed Fuel

Abstract

Dimethyl ether (DME) is a clean and economical alternative fuel which can be produced from various resources such as natural gas, coal, biomass through synthesis gas. Storage and transportation of DME is easy because DME has similar properties with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). DME is already produced and utilized as LPG alternate for domestic and industrial use in China. In this study, to operate a micro gas engine by supplying a mixture fuel of butane and DME, fuel consumption and exhaust gases (NO, CO) were measured. From the experimental results, with an increase in the mixing ratio of DME, the percentage of CO was reduced, but the percentage of NO increased. Particulate matter (PM) generation was not observed either.