SURFACE IGNITION INITIATED COMBUSTION OF ALCOHOL IN DIESEL ENGINES-A NEW APPROACH

Since self-ignition temperature of alcohols is so high that abnormally high compression ratios would be required in conventional diesel engines, a novel approach is presented of force igniting methanol or ethanol alone in a diesel engine at normal compression ratios. A heated and insulated surface was used to induce methanol pre-ignition as in a spark ignition engine. A conventional single-cylinder diesel engine, modified to work on this principle, operates satisfactorily at the rated speed (1500 rpm) on methanol and ethanol with thermal efficiencies comparable to a normal diesel engine of the same configuration. The engine also exhibits multi-fuel capability.