Effects of natural gas injection timing and split pilot fuel injection strategy on the combustion performance and emissions in a dual-fuel engine fueled with diesel and natural gas

The experimental results indicated that natural gas injection timing and split injection strategy have a significant influence on the combustion performance and emissions characteristics in the dual-fuel engine. The natural gas premixed combustion stage can be enhanced with retarded natural gas injection timing. The pilot diesel combustion stage is weakened under the split injection strategy and the combustion process can be improved by reasonably advanced first pilot injection timing. Moreover, combined variation natural gas injection timing and split pilot injection strategy is a potential way to optimize the performance of the diesel/natural gas dual-fuel engine.