| Abstract | Diesel generators are widely used to produce electricity and heat in remote communities. However, their use contributes to harmful pollutant and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, negatively impacting the environment and public health. Syngas, which is a sustainable fuel, can play an important role in the transition from petroleum to renewable fuels. When used in dual-fuel diesel engines, it can contribute to reducing GHG emissions and the cost of transporting diesel, especially for rural and remote communities. This study investigates the effects of optimizing the diesel direct injection (DI) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) strategies on the combustion and emission performance of a syngas-diesel dual-fuel generator at constant load. The experiments were conducted using a 30-kW generator with a four-stroke, four-cylinder, turbocharged, and electronically controlled direct-injection diesel engine. The intake manifold of the engine was modified to allow introducing syngas upstream of the turbocharger. The syngas was simulated using individually controlled flow rates of hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrogen (N2). The syngas flow rate was adjusted to replace 40% of the energy provided by diesel fuel while optimizing the diesel DI parameters such as the pilot injection timing, main injection timing and diesel direct injection rail pressure, as well as the EGR rate. The findings of this study reveal that optimizing diesel injection strategy and appropriately raising the EGR rate have a positive impact on the engine performance and emissions. |
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