Diesel Combustion Characteristics of Decaline as a GTL Fuel

Abstract

Decaline, which is promising as a future gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuel through efficient direct conversion from methane, has properties appropriate for a diesel fuel. With neat decaline, when NOx is maintained at near present regulation levels by EGR and retarded fuel injection timings, smoke is remarkably reduced without sacrifice in SBEC in comparison with ordinary diesel fuel. With 20% addition of either cyclohexane or n-hexane to decaline, BSEC and smoke improve while NOx slightly increases. In particular, cyclohexane addition significantly reduces smoke emissions. Compared with ordinary diesel fuel, the trade-offs between smoke and NOx and between BSEC and NOx are remarkably improved with decaline-cyclohexane blends and application of EGR.