Abstract
An effective combustion technique is required to utilize low sulfur and low ignitability fuels, such as Light Cycle Oil (LCO). The objective of this study is to experimentally investigate the cold startability, engine performance and combustion characteristics of five different types of fuels. These fuels have different cetane indices which were varied by the relative volumetric percentages of LCO and diesel fuel. In addition, the evaluation of pilot injection as a means to reduce the maximum rate of pressure rise was also conducted. The results show that LCO fuel blends with cetane indices up to 35 gave better cold startability and combustion characteristics. The pilot injection close to the main injection improved the maximum pressure rise independently of cetane index. Increases in the degree of constant volume and the maximum rate of pressure rise led to higher NOx and Soot emissions, respectively.
