Hexanol: A renewable low reactivity fuel for RCCI combustion

Abstract In the present work, Hexanol a biofuel produced from agro-waste is examined as a potential alternative to fossil fuel. A single-cylinder water-cooled Diesel engine was used for the tests. The mechanical injector was replaced with a solenoid injector and provisions were made for mounting an injector in the inlet port. Diesel was injected in-cylinder during the late compression stroke and hexanol was injected into the inlet port of the engine. The engine was operated at rated load and the ratio of hexanol to Diesel was varied. The tests were carried out at injection pressures (Pinj) of 400, 500, and 600 bar. Combustion and emission data were collected and compared to that of neat Diesel combustion. Increased peak pressure and heat release rates were observed. Oxides of nitrogen together with smoke emissions decreased, with an increasing percentage of hexanol at each Pinj. There was a marginal increase in indicated thermal efficiency even though the heating value of hexanol is lower. This study suggests hexanol could be utilized as an alternative fuel in advanced reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) combustion.