A theoretical study on Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition combustion with diesel-type fuels: N-heptane, dimethyl ether, methyl butanoate and methyl formate

Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) offers high fuel economy and significantly reduced NOx and particulate emissions. The auto-ignition nature ensures that the HCCI has the potential to burn different fuels. It is therefore a potential alternative technology for diesel applications. Difficulties for practical applications are controlling of ignition timing and heat release rate over wide engine operation range. In the research work reported in this paper, four various diesels type fuels: N-heptane, Dimethyl Ether, Methyl Butanoate and Methyl Formate were studied using a single-zone combustion model with convective heat transfer loss and detailed chemical kinetics. The effects of different engine parameters such as recirculated exhaust gas, air/fuel ratio, intake temperature, and compression ratio on auto ignition performance were investigated.