Methodology for Estimating the Performance of Fuels during Cold Start and Idle with the Adaptation of a Gradation System

摘要

The objective of this study is to develop a methodology able to discriminate fuels in their ability to produce good cold start and idle in a recent Euro V, direct injection diesel engine for passenger car. This methodology aims at easily comparing fuels during the starting phase and idle by the use of a grade from 2 to 10. Engine tests, consisting in starting the engine and then let it running in idle, are operated at -7 °C, -18 °C, and -25 °C. This grading system is based on the evaluation of reference fuels among three commercial fuels: an Arctic grade diesel fuel supposed to be the highest level reference fuel, and two fuels, with a low cetane number and intermediate cold properties, supposed to be low level reference fuels. The engine behavior is evaluated with the help of criteria characterizing the starting phase and idle. These reference fuels give the conventional maxima limits on each criteria and are used to develop the methodology able to evaluate the fuel impact. An illustration is given to this grading system using an EU winter commercial fuel with intermediate cold properties.