Effects of exhaust gas recirculation and ethanol-gasoline blends on combustion and emission characteristics of spark ignition engine

The combined influences of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and ethanol-gasoline blends on the combustion process and emissions of a single-cylinder spark ignition engine were numerically examined. Four different EGR values were employed, i.e. 0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10%, to reveal the effect of EGR on engine performance. The engine was operated at a load of 100% and a speed of 3000 rpm. The peak values of in-cylinder pressure and temperature gradually decreased as increasing the EGR ratios. These peaks move towards the TDC as increasing the ethanol fraction in blends due to high oxygen in the mixture and burning flame speed in the cylinder. Ethanol fractions ranging from 5% to 15% can effectively improve the negative effects of EGR ratios. When increasing the ethanol fraction, the CO2 rapidly increased and concentrated around the TDC. The NOx emissions are significantly increased with increasing ethanol fraction. In the case of pure gasoline, the NOx emissions are substantially suppressed and exhibit a remarkably low value as increasing the EGR ratios. The best combination for diluting NOx emissions to a very low level is ethanol fraction ranging from E5 to E10, while the EGR rates range from 5% to 10%.