Operation of a compression ignition engine on diesel-diethyl ether blends

A detailed investigation on the effect of using diesel-diethyl ether blends in a direct injection diesel engine has been carried out. Blends with 5, 10 & 15% by weight of diethyl ether were tested. The optimum quantity of diethyl ether was found as 10% based on the thermal efficiency. Tests were also conducted with the optimum quantity at an advanced injection timing. With this timing, the blend decreased the smoke & CO level drastically at all loads and increased the brake thermal efficiency at high loads with out affecting NO emissions. It also increased the peak heat release rate, peak pressure and maximum rate of pressure rise. It was concluded that 10% blend with injection timing slight advanced than base diesel operation is suitable.