A Simulation of the Effect of Iraqi Diesel Fuel Cetane Number on the Performance of a Compression Ignition Engine
Mohammed Kadhim Allawi, Mohanad Kadhim Mejbel, Younis M. Younis, Sabah J. Mezher
Abstract
Cetane Number (CN) or cetane rating is an indication of the compression energy required for ignition and a diesel fuel’s combustion speed. It is similar to an octane rating in gasoline but in inverse terms. CN is a pivotal factor in verifying diesel fuel quality. In this work, the diesel engine performance has been analyzed through simulations and the findings have been compared with experimental results. The study has been conducted to evaluate the effect of diesel fuels with different cetane numbers (CN 51.4 to CN 54.6) used in Iraq. The experimental work has been performed on an innovative research engine: a multi-cylinder CI engine with four strokes, an indirect injection fuel system, and a constant compression ratio. The theoretical part of the study has dealt with the modelling of the same engine using simulation and analysis engineering software, specifically the Lotus Engine Simulation (v.6.01a). The same operating conditions have been created at different loads. It has been found out that increasing the cetane number has resulted in an improvement in all the engine performance elements. Simulation results have revealed a good agreement with the experimental findings, with errors not exceeding 3%.