Analysis and Correlation of Ignition Delay for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and Their Blends in Ignition Quality Tester

摘要

As climate change continues to be a global concern, renewable fuels are considered to be blended or even to replace petroleum-based diesel fuels. The main objective of this investigation is to study the auto-ignition behavior, including-perhaps for the first time-the physical and chemical ignition delay periods, of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and their blends in Ignition Quality Tester (IQT). A LabVIEW program for NI DAQ is developed to acquire the data needed to detect the physical delay period. The derived cetane number (DCN) is determined according to ASTM D6890-10 standard where ignition delay is a key parameter. Tests are conducted under steady state conditions at low to intermediate range of charge temperatures. The activation energies are then determined for all the blends. Analysis of the effect of physical properties and chemical composition on auto-ignition is carried out. Correlations are developed for the ignition delay of the different blends of HVO with ULSD for future use in combustion research modeling and design of engine control units.