Energetic and exergetic analyses of a dual-fuel diesel engine

The aim of this work is to investigate theoretically and experimentally the performance characteristics of a commercial diesel engine when operating in dual form: natural gas and diesel. The experimental facility (thermal system) is composed of a diesel engine coupled to an electronic generator with measuring sensor for temperature and pressure, air, natural gas and diesel flow meters, gas transducers, gas analyzer and power absorption system, constituted by an electric charge bank and its controlling system. For energetic and exergetic analysis of such dual engine, a mathematical model based on the thermodynamics concepts was developed. Numerical and experimental results concerning the effect of air conditions, the type and quantity of fuel used and the exhaustion gases over the engine performance and environmental impact are presented and analyzed. In this work, the diesel engine operated with powers ranging from 10 to 150 kW and replacement rates from 60% to 85%.