The influence of fuel composition on particulate emissions of d.i. Diesel engines

The effect of different fuel parameters on emissions is difficult to understand, the response depending upon different engine technologies. In addition the isolation of some of the fuel variables if often very hard. The present paper discusses the main results obtained testing a matrix of 14 fuels designed for obtaining large variations of cetane number, sulphur and aromatic contents of Diesel oil. The aromatic structure of fuels and its effect on particulate emissions was also investigated. A linear regression analysis was performed in order to isolate the main controlling factors on particulate emissions. Finally the influence of aromatic contents of fuel on unregulated emissions was also assessed.