A study of the effects of the properties of fuel, compression ratio and EGR on diesel exhaust soot physiochemical characteristics

This research work characterises diesel engine soot physiochemical properties and engine performance and emissions for the combustion of two common mineral diesel fuels (low and medium sulphur) and a RME B100 biodiesel fuel at two geometric compression ratios (19.5:1 and 16.5:1) and a broad range of EGR (10 to 55%) for an otherwise unmodified VW 1.9TDI 130PS engine. The principal focus of the research is the physiochemical characterisation of soot sampled from the engine exhaust manifold and also a DPF in the exhaust and exploring how the fuel type, compression ratio and EGR influence the soot properties and how these properties then influence the evolution of the soot in the exhaust. [Continues.]