Conducted single-fuel, blended, and dual-fuel combustion experiments with a high-compression ratio single-cylinder direct-injection compression-ignition engine.

Combustion fuels analyzed – ultra-low sulfur diesel, waste cooking oil biodiesel, soybean biodiesel, ethanol, gaseous dimethyl ether (DME), hydrogen-rich syngas, and compressed natural gas.

One of the major aims was to reduce nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and particulate matter (PM), simultaneously.

Used real-time data from the electronic control unit and other sensors to adjust fuel injection timing, quantity, and pressure to control engine operation.

Collected data from an emissions analyzer and smoke meter to measure engine-out emissions such as NO_x, PM, carbon monoxide, total hydrocarbons, and other species.

Post-processed in-cylinder pressure, performance, and emissions data to compute in-cylinder temperature, rate of heat release, and ignition delay data for combustion and emissions performance assessment.

Simultaneous reduction of NO_x and PM was achieved with DME-ULSD and DME-biodiesel at full load and 18% energy substitution ratio (ESR). DME’s low-temperature reactivity promotes pre-ignition, reduces the pre-mixed peak (lower NO_x), and elongates the mixing-controlled combustion phase (late oxidation of PM). Hence, both NO_x and PM decrease at full load and 18% ESR.

Performed necessary maintenance on the dynamometer, emissions analyzer, and other sensors for apparatus upkeep.