Influence of Propane and Butane on Engine Performance in a Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition(HCCI) Engine

This paper describes the engine performance of a Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition(HCCI) engine according to Exhaust Gas Recirculation(EGR), cylinder-to-cylinder, fuel of propane and butane. HCCI engines are being considered as a future alternative for diesel and gasoline engines. HCCI engines have the potential for high efficiency, very low NOx emissions and very low particulate matter(PM). On experimental work, we have done an evaluation of operating conditions in a 4-cylinder compression engine. The engine has been run with propane and butane fuels at a constant speed of 1800rpm. This work is intended to investigate the HCCI operation of the engine in this configuration that has been modified from the base diesel engine. The performance and emissions of the engine are presented. In this paper, the start of combustion(SOC) is defined as the 50% point of the peak rate of heat release. SOC is delayed slightly with increasing EGR. As expected, NOx emissions were very low for all EGR range and unburned HC and CO emission levels were high. CO and HC emissions are lower with using propane than butane as fuels of HCCI engines.