Effects of ethanol–diesel blends to performance of a DI diesel engine for different injection timings

•Engine performance parameters have been improved with ethanol addition.•Engine performance parameters have been improved with the increase of the injection advance.•The optimum performance values have been obtained for 10% ethanol addition for the injection advance of 45 KMA. In this study the of use of ethanol–diesel fuel blends to performance of a single cylinder, direct injection diesel engine for different injection timings has been investigated. The fuel blends were prepared for the ethanol content of 5%, 10% and 20% by volume. An adjustable cam mechanism was adapted to the test engine for changing the injection timing. Besides the fuel injection pump regulator was not employed during the engine tests. At the result of the experimental studies the maximum engine power was obtained for 10% ethanol–diesel fuel blends in 3000rpm and injection advance of 45° crank angle (CA). The maximum engine torque was obtained for 10% ethanol–diesel fuel blends in 1400rpm and injection advance of 25° CA. The minimum brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) was obtained for 20% ethanol–diesel fuel blends in 1200rpm and injection advance of 35° CA.