Dual Fuel Engine Performance Optimization

Dual fuel engine performance optimisation encompasses strategies to refine combustion processes in engines that concurrently use two distinct fuels, typically a gaseous fuel alongside a liquid pilot fuel. This approach aims to combine the high energy density and ignition quality of fuels such as diesel with the lower emissions and renewable potential of alternative gases or biofuels. Key objectives include maximising brake thermal efficiency, mitigating the trade-off between nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions, and ensuring stable combustion across variable loads. Optimisation methodologies range from advanced control of fuel injection timing and ratio, to data-driven algorithms that determine the optimal diesel substitution rate, and the integration of fuel additives or hydrogen enrichment to enhance ignition and heat release characteristics. As global efforts intensify to decarbonise transport and power generation, dual fuel engines offer a transitional pathway towards reduced greenhouse gas outputs and increased fuel flexibility, with applications spanning micro-cogeneration, maritime propulsion and heavy-duty vehicles.

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Dual Fuel Engine Performance Optimization publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in dual fuel engine performance optimization across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Dual-fuel engine: An engine that simultaneously uses two fuels, typically a high-cetane liquid pilot fuel and a lower-calorific gaseous or bio-derived fuel, to leverage the advantages of both.

Brake thermal efficiency (BTE): The ratio of an engine’s useful brake power output to the total energy input from the fuel, indicating conversion effectiveness.

Diesel substitution rate (DSR): The proportion of total fuel energy supplied by the alternative gaseous fuel, reflecting the extent of diesel displacement.

Heat release rate (HRR): The rate at which chemical energy is liberated during combustion, influencing pressure rise and combustion dynamics.

Producer gas: A low-calorific synthesis gas rich in CO, H2 and CH4, typically generated via biomass gasification.

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT): Cylindrical carbon nanostructures composed of multiple concentric graphene layers, used as combustion-enhancing additives.

Hydrogen enrichment: The addition of hydrogen to the intake charge to improve ignition characteristics, flame speed and reduce emissions of certain pollutants.

References

1. Optimizing the use of forestry biomass producer gas in dual fuel engines: A novel emissions reduction strategy for a micro-CHP system. Energy Conversion and Management X (2023).
2. Effect of MWCNTs nano-additive on a dual-fuel engine characteristics utilizing dairy scum oil methyl ester and producer gas. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering (2023).