Impact of using n-pentanol as a co-solvent with diesel-methanol blends on combustion, performance and emissions of CI engine

Pentanol or n-pentanol is a strong contender that increases the phase stability of the diesel-methanol blends. In the current study, n-pentanol is used as a co-solvent to avoid the phase separation of diesel-methanol blends. The combustion, performance and emission characteristics of the diesel engine are evaluated at different loads using diesel/methanol/n-pentanol blends. The results indicate the novelty of MnP15 fuel blend, among all the test fuel blends with appreciable highest peak cylinder pressure, heat release rate and brake thermal efficiency at full load condition. Furthermore, HC, NOx and smoke emissions for MnP15 reduced by 34.61%, 3.98% and 41.29% respectively, at full load when compared to diesel. The study also reveals that fuel blend MnP25 cannot be used as CI engine fuel due to its poor combustion and performance. However, MnP blends up to 20% can be used in unmodified CI engine and MnP15 may be recommended as CI engine fuel. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.