Effect of engine control parameters on combustion and particle number emission characteristics from a SIDI engine fueled with gasoline-ethanol blends

In this study, the impact of engine control parameters on combustion behaviors and particle number emissions was investigated with a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine used various gasoline-ethanol blended fuels. The SIDI engine was tested with the E0, E30 and E85 at a engine operation of 1500 rpm/1.5 BMEP. The combustion pressure and mass burn fraction (MBF) according to the control parameters and ethanol fractions were analyzed. To verify the PN oxidation characteristics of the ethanol blended fuels, the size-resolved PN emissions over the three-way catalyst (TWC) were determined with a DMS500. The peak pressure in the cylinder was similar regardless of the type of fuel and the particle emissions were reduced by 92 % compared to gasoline at the engine out position in the E85 fuel. The results show that gasoline-ethanol blends have potential as alternative fuels and are effective in reducing the particle emissions in internal combustion engines.