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The emissions reduction potential of neat GTL (Gas to Liquids: Fischer-Tropsch synthetic gas-oil derived from natural gas) fuels has been preliminarily evaluated by three different latest-generation diesel engines with different displacements. In addition, differences in combustion phenomena between the GTL fuels and baseline diesel fuel have been observed by means of a single cylinder engine with optical access. From these findings, one of the engines has been modified to improve both exhaust emissions and fuel consumption simultaneously, assuming the use of neat GTL fuels. The conversion efficiency of the NOx (oxides of nitrogen) reduction catalyst has also been improved.

To reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines down to zero until 2050, alternative powertrain strategies have been proposed in lieu of the improvements in internal combustion engines (ICEs). However, total amount of renewable electricity could be limited for the constructing infrastructure, the production of new battery and/or fuel cell vehicles and the operation of them compared with the growing demand of transportation in the future. Therefore, drastic improvement in transport efficiency with suppressing the increase of total CO2 emissions is essential. From these points of view, extremely high efficiency ICEs, combined or at least compatible with carbon neutral or renewable fuels having the capability of drop-in into the conventional fuels, should be attracted attention. Nevertheless, there have been few studies on the effects of fuel properties for further improving fuel consumption of diesel ICEs.