Investigations on the effect of methanol blend on the combustion parameters of dual fuel diesel engine

•The in-cylinder pressure rise was higher in case of 20% substitution.•The ignition delay for substitution of 20% methanol was found to decrease.•The maximum rate of pressure rise increases by 19.5% at 40% load condition.•Peak pressure rise was found to increase by 9.5% at 20% load condition. Ignition delay, maximum rate of pressure rise, heat release rate, temperature and cylinder peak pressure of a 4-cylinder (turbocharged and intercooled) 62.5kW gen-set diesel engine using methanol blend were experimentally investigated. When the amount of methanol in diesel fuel is increased, the ignition delay increases as compared to pure diesel operation. It is found that the maximum rate of pressure rise were found to increase (3.1%, 14.6% and 19.5% at 10%, 20% and 40% load conditions) along with the peak pressure rise (2.5% and 9.5% at 10% and 20% load conditions) compared to diesel operation. While ignition delays observed for mixture of 20% methanol were found to decrease (by 5°CA), respectively. The minimum and maximum net heat release rates were found to be 35.93 and 78.07KJ (40% mixture of methanol at 40% and 10% load conditions). Three factor analysis of the rate of pressure rise, net heat release, cumulative heat release and ignition delay were in agreement of the experimental results.