The impact of a metallic partial-flow particulate filter on diesel engine combustion and emission characteristics using palm oil biodiesel blends.

Reducing particulate emissions from diesel engines pose a significant challenge in developing countries due to increasingly stringent regulations for both new and older vehicles. While employing wall-flow filters have proven effective for new vehicles, older vehicles necessitate alternative approaches to particulate filtration without complex modifications. Partial flow filters exhibit advantages in such scenarios, characterized by their lack of external components, simplified design, minimal maintenance demands, and resilience to misfuelling. The present study mainly focuses on the evaluation of a partial flow diesel particulate filter (P-DPF) installed on a diesel direct injection compression ignition engine, operating on commercial biodiesel blends, specifically B10 and B20. According to the combustion analyses, the combustion pressure, temperature, and the heat release rate increased with the kinetic energy inside the residual gas molecules due to installation of the P-DPF system. This also resulted in higher indicated power as well as indicated thermal efficiency. However, brake-specific fuel consumption and brake-specific energy consumption, exhibited only a marginal increase, while brake thermal efficiency experienced a slight decrease of 0.65% in the case of B10 and 0.74% for B20 after the installation of the P-DPF system due to the friction loss by the filter backpressure. Furthermore, an incremental increase in exhaust backpressure was observed, ranging from 0.2 kPa at 1000 rpm and 56 Nm to 2.25 kPa at 2000 rpm and 140 Nm. An analysis of emissions limits showed a notable 65% reduction in soot emissions. Comparative analyses were conducted to assess the impact of P-DPF installation on a diesel engine without any manual changes. Ultimately, the partial flow filter (P-DPF) emerges as an effective initial measure in mitigating particulate matter emissions, particularly when employed in a retrofit exhaust after-treatment system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]