Experimental investigation on CI engine performance using steam injection and ferric chloride as catalyst

The present investigation pertains to running a diesel engine with diesel as the main fuel and diesel-ferric chloride (FeCl3), diesel-steam injection, and diesel-FeCl3-steam injection combinations. In order to conduct the experiment, engine exhaust energy and saturated steam generated from shell and tube heat exchanger were used. A heat exchanger was designed to maintain 3% and 5% of steam flow rate respectively at 60% and 80% engine load. The results showed that in diesel-ferric chloride (FeCl3), diesel-steam injection, and diesel-FeCl3-steam injection combinations, the brake thermal efficiency increases by 8%, 4%, and 3% respectively as compared to diesel mode. In diesel-FeCl3-steam injection combination, maximum combustion gas temperature and maximum cylinder pressure decreased up to 4% when compared to diesel mode. Emissions such as NO, CO2, O2, and HC were reduced when the engine was run with diesel-FeCl3-steam injection combinations as compared to diesel mode and the diesel-ferric chloride combination resulted in decreased emission of CO, HC and smoke when compared to diesel mode.