Abstract
Increasing the thermal efficiency of internal combustion engines is critical to reducing CO2 emissions from the transportation sector. Using particular engine technologies in combination with special fuel technology, we have been able to increase thermal efficiency substantially. In previous studies, we reported that the use of a super lean burn (combustion with an excess air ratio of 2.0 or higher) and certain fuel compositions, formulated with oxygen- and nitrogen-containing compounds such as furans and nitromethane, extended the combustion limit (lean limit) and improved thermal efficiency. In this current study, we report on our finding that the lean limit can be extended substantially through use of certain hydrocarbon fuels whose compositions include no oxygen or nitrogen.
