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A great deal of research is taking place at the present time in the field of diesel engines, especially regarding the emission of gaseous pollutants and soot. This research is essential for engine manufacturers since it is difficult for diesel engines to meet current standards regarding soot and nitric oxide emissions. The problem will become even more severe when the new legislation will be applicable requiring a 50% reduction of existing levels. Many manufacturers and researchers feel that engines will be difficult to meet this criterion without the use of other techniques such as gas aftertreatment or newly developed fuels (low sulfur content, etc.). The aim of this research is to examine the effect of fuel composition and physical properties on the mechanism of combustion and pollutants formation.

The diesel engine is a thermal machine with very high efficiency when compared to other similar engines. But up to now its application for automotive purposes is limited due to the existing limits in power concentration, speed and noise. Up to now most diesel engines used for automotive applications are of the Indirect Injection type due to their ability to operate at relatively high rotational speeds and at low Air Fuel Ratios when compared to direct injection diesel engines. Currently the research is mainly concentrated to DI diesel engines due to their lower specific fuel consumption. Nevertheless it is not entirely clear that IDI diesel engines will be completely replaced. But if we consider in general the diesel engine regardless of its type, it is widely recognized that one of the major problems with their application on automobiles is the emission of particulates (smoke etc.).