SHEIKH SHAHIR MUHAMMAD AFIFUL ISLAM

TITLE:
KEM120702
Requirement of Fuels Quality for CI
(diesel) Engine

INTRODUCTION
A compression-ignition engine or commonly known as a diesel engine is an internal
combustion engine in which used a higher compression of the fuel to ignite the fuel
rather than using spark plug (spark ignition). Air is compressed adiabatically with a
compression ratio typically between 15 and 20. This compression raises the
temperature to the ignition temperature of the fuel mixture which is formed by injecting
fuel once the air is compressed.

FUEL CHARACTERIZATION
The fuel used in a compression ignition (CI) engine is diesel, which is a type of
hydrocarbon. For hydrocarbons to qualify as a fuel for the engine, they should possess
certain qualities to be the ideal fuel for these engines.
i.

Knocking characteristics: Theoretically as soon as diesel fuel is injected into the

cylinder, it starts burning. But in practical situations this never happens as there is
always a time lag between the injection of the fuel and burning of the fuel. As the
duration of ignition lag increases, the amounts of fuel get accumulated in the cylinder
head will also increased. When the fuel is finally burnt, excessively large amounts of
energy is released, which produces extremely high pressure inside the engine. This
causes the knocking sound inside the engine. Thus the engines should have a short
ignition lag so that the energy is produced uniformly inside the engine and there is
no abnormal sound. The knocking capacity of the fuel is measured in terms of
cetane rating of the fuel. It should have a cetane number high enough to avoid
knocking of engine.

ii.

API gravity: Generally, there is a 3-5% decrease in the thermal energy content of
fuel for every 10 degree increase in API gravity. This decrease in energy content will
result in roughly the same percentage decrease in engine power. Use of fuels with
higher API gravity will also result in higher fuel consumption. It is recommendation to
include a maximum API gravity is based on our understanding of customer needs to
maintain engine power, while minimizing fuel consumption.

iii.

Volatility of the fuel: Thorough mixing of the fuel and air when fuel is injected in the
cylinder head ensures uniform burning of the fuel. The fuel should be volatile in
nature within the operating temperature range of the cylinder head so that it gets
converted into a gaseous state and mixes thoroughly with compressed air.

iv.

Starting characteristics of the fuel: The smooth starting of the vehicle depends
greatly on the fuel used for the vehicle. For easy starting of the vehicle it is important

that the fuel has good volatility so that it mixes with the air uniformly and it readily
forms into
the combustible mixture. In a particular diesel engine, higher cetane fuels will have
shorter ignition delay periods than lower cetane fuels which in turn will lead to faster
starting of the vehicle.
v.

Smoke produced by the fuel and its odor: Diesel exhaust is a complex mixture of
thousands of gases and soot that contains more than 40 toxic air contaminants.
These include suspected cancer-causing substances, such as benzene, arsenic and
formaldehyde. It also contains other harmful pollutants, including nitrogen oxides. As
we breathe, the toxic gases and small particles of diesel exhaust are drawn into the
lungs and are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, where they contribute
to a range of health problems. So the exhaust gases produced from the fuel should
not have too much smoke and odor.

vi.

Viscosity of the fuel: Viscosity affects injector lubrication and fuel atomization. Fuels
with low viscosity may not provide sufficient lubrication for the precision fit of fuel
injection pumps or injector plungers resulting in leakage or increased wear. Fuels
which do not meet viscosity requirements can lead to performance complaints. Fuel
atomization is also affected by fuel viscosity. Diesel fuels with high viscosity tend to
form larger droplets on injection which can cause poor combustion and increased
exhaust smoke and emissions. So the fuel should have enough viscosity so that it
can easily flow through the fuel system and the strainer at the lowest working
temperatures.

vii.

Detergency: All diesel fuels which do not contain detergents have a tendency to form
carbon deposits on fuel injectors. It has generally been found that low sulfur fuels
and thermally unstable fuels have a greater tendency to form these deposits.
Detergent additives will prevent carbon deposits, which interfere with fueling and fuel
spray patterns, from forming. Dirty injectors will invariability give rise to higher smoke
levels in all equipment and in some equipment can limit power by restricting fuel
flow.

viii.

Lubricity: Lubricity describes the ability of a fluid to minimize friction and damage
between surfaces in relative motion under loaded conditions. Diesel fuel injection
equipment relies on the lubricating properties of the fuel. Lack of fuel lubricity can
shortened the life of engine components such as fuel injection pumps and unit
injectors.

CONCLUSION
Because of the unique combination of power, performance, energy efficiency, reliability
and low-emissions, diesel engines are the undisputed workhorse of the global economy,

SHEIKH SHAHIR MUHAMMAD AFIFUL ISLAM

TITLE:
KEM120702
Requirement of Fuels Quality for CI
(diesel) Engine

powering almost all super-sectors including agriculture, construction, transportation,

mining and many more.