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The rising demand for cleaner vehicles considering the upcoming stringent emission norms like Euro-IV has promoted development of CNG vehicles. The need for expensive after treatment technologies has imposed constraints on Euro-IV Gasoline and Diesel engine development. On the contrary CNG engines have easily met Euro-III norms with Carburetion technology and Euro-IV and beyond norms with Injection technology. CNG has proved to be a clean and environmentally friendly fuel, significantly improving the ambient air quality of cities. The addition of Hydrogen to CNG has potential to even lower the CNG emissions and is considered to be the first step towards promotion of a Hydrogen economy. Worldwide experts have described Hydrogen as the cleanliest fuel for IC Engines [1, 2 and 3]. Hythane is the patented blend of 15% of Hydrogen in CNG by Energy content. HCNG is the blend of Hydrogen and CNG in varying proportions.

Environmental degradation is on the rise due to the increased motor vehicle population. One of the strategies adopted to curb deteriorating environmental quality is the use of alternative fuels like Ethanol, Compressed natural gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas. Natural gas is the world's most plentiful combustible fuel, abundantly available in all the continents. This naturally occurring fuel requires little or no treatment prior to use as compared to liquid petroleum products. Natural gas is also the lowest costing fuel. The use of CNG as an automotive-fuel results in significant reduction in the level of vehicular pollutants CO, HC, NOx, SOx, Pb and PM [1, 2, 3 and 4]. Additionally, the use of CNG results in reduction in the emissions of greenhouse gases (CO2), owing to the lower Carbon-to-Hydrogen ratio of the methane (CH4), as compared to other hydrocarbon fuels [5, 6 and 7].

This paper reviews the current research work on Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) concept for diesel engines to meet future tightened emission norms. Heavy duty diesel engines are facing conflict between the goal of emission reduction and optimization of fuel consumption. In response to social demands and progressively strengthened emission regulations, diesel engines have been made cleaner through various means such as the combustion chamber, high pressure fuel injection, and turbocharger. In recent years, high pressure fuel injection has been considered as an effective method to reduce Particulate Matter (PM) by improving atomization and better air utilization, however, resulting in an increased Nitric Oxides (NOx) formation due to high temperature combustion. To fulfill future tightened emission norms, further developments on diesel engine technology and combustion improvements are required for simultaneous reduction of NOx and PM emissions as opposed to a trade-off.

This paper presents emission studies of four LPG vehicles of different specifications. Emissions were tested as per LPG-Bharat stage III driving cycle. Emission tests were carried out for urban cycle and extra urban cycle. Total time for urban and extra urban cycle was 1180 sec. Engine was run in LPG mode by using conversion system. Emissions were tested as per standard procedure and were compared. Emissions of engines were compared with each other. Corrected emissions were computed by deducting ambient reading from sample reading. Paper describes detail emission test procedure and results obtained. CO emissions were in the range of 38.9 to 111.3 ppm. HC emissions were in the range of 18.2 to 62.6 ppm. Nox emissions were 08 to 3.9 ppm and CO2 emissions were from 6719.2 to 8051 ppm. Paper throws light on emission results of LPG vehicles recently introduced in Indian automobile market.

Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) combustion concept has potential of reducing NOx and PM emissions simultaneously and it is being considered as a future technology for diesel engines to meet tightened emission norms imposing by national governments. However, HCCI is limited to a narrow band of operating region due to difficulties in controlling combustion phasing close to Top Dead Center (TDC). From literature study, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), Intake Temperature, Boost Pressure, Equivalence Ratio and Compressions ratios are considered as most critical parameters for HCCI control. The chemical kinetics study was conducted to understand the HCC combustion using N-heptane mechanism with 162 species and 732 reactions. At lower equivalence ratio (lean burn combustion) higher CO and HC emissions were observed. The combustion efficiency was poor at lower temperatures, which resulted in high HC and CO emissions with less than 10ppm NOx.

In this experimental study four stroke, four cylinder, MPFI, SI engines were tested as per IS 14599. A group of six bifuel engines with different specifications was tested in gasoline mode and LPG mode. Engines were converted by using modification system to operate in LPG mode. Objective of this experimental study was to compare performance and emissions of PFI passenger car engines in gasoline mode and LPG mode and to establish generic performance trend for LPG/Gasoline bifuel engines by defining and computing normalized figure of merit, power per unit displacement. From experimental results, generic performance trend for passenger car engines was established. A unit parameter KW/lit was calculated for each engine for comparison in relation to rated torque, maximum exhaust gas temperature and speeds corresponding to maximum torque and maximum power.

The Partially Pre-mixed Charge Compression Ignition (PCCI) combustion was experimentally and computationally investigated with retarded injection timing for mixture homogeneity and for lower emissions. PCCI combustion concept was experimentally evaluated with retarded injection timing close to TDC with high EGR levels up to 50%. The CFD analysis has carried out for mixture homogeneity with different injection pressures and timings. A 4-cylinder TCIC engine having 2valves/cylinder were selected for experiments and speed vs. torque mapped for LCV applications. A Visio technique has been used to study the in-cylinder combustion. After fine tuning of injection pressure, injection timing and EGR ratio over entire range of engine speeds and loads, a 13-mode ESC test cycle has been carried out for EURO-IV and EURO-V emissions. Experimental results shows that it is possible to meet EURO-IV emissions with combined PCCI-DI combustion concept with economical aftertreatment solution.

Dual fuel operating strategy offers great opportunity to reduce emissions like particulate matter and NOx from compression ignition engine and use of clearer fuels like natural gas. Dual-fuel engines have number of potential advantages like fuel flexibility, lower emissions, higher compression ratio, better efficiency and easy conversion of existing diesel engines without major hardware modifications. In view of energy depletion and environmental pollution, dual-fuel technology has caught attention of researchers. It is an ecological and efficient combustion technology. This paper summarizes a review of recent research on dual-fuel technology and future scope of research. Paper also throws light on present limitations and drawbacks of dual-fuel engines and proposed methods to overcome these drawbacks. A parametric study of different engine-operating variables affecting performance of diesel-CNG dual-fuel engines vis-à-vis base diesel operation is also summarized here.

Diethyl Ether (DEE) is a promising oxygenated renewable bio-base resource fuel used for diesel engines, owing to its high ignition quality. An experimental investigation has been carried out to evaluate the effects of DEE blends with diesel on the combustion, performance and emission characteristics of a direct injection diesel engine. The engine tests are carried out for 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the full load. In this study, 2%, 5%, 8%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of DEE (by volume) are blended with diesel. Beyond 25% DEE blend, the viscosity and density of the blended fuel reduces as compared to the acceptable limits, that can further reduces the lubricity and create potential wear problems in sensitive fuel injection pump and fuel injector design. The laboratory fuel tests showed that DEE can be mixed in any proportion in diesel fuel. The blended fuel retains the desirable physical properties of diesel fuel but includes the cleaner burning capability of DEE.