MODELING AND SIMULATION OF COMPRESSION-IGNITION INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES’ EMISSIONS PRODUCED BY DIESEL AND BIODIESEL MIXTURES

Abstract

Biofuels have been identified as possible solutions to the problems caused by the usage of fossil fuels in energy production. Although they generally produce fewer emissions, there are indications that engines powered with biodiesel mixtures emit pollutants such as nitrogen oxides in greater quantities than when powered by fossil diesel. So, further investigation on the emissions produced by these two fuels is needed, with the goal of best knowing what kind of harm to the environment each one of those is causing.  One of the best tools available for expanding any subject’s comprehension, without spending lots of resources, are mathematical models. In order to better understand the relations between the fuel used to power a compression-ignition internal combustion engine (ICO) and the emissions produced as subproducts of the thermodynamic process, this paper aims at developing a mathematical model of the production of emissions according to the fuel mixture used. The main goal is to develop a simple model, from the point of view of chemical kinetics, but with the support of well-collected experimental data, and methods of mathematical model adjustments and validations, to make the model describe the reality of the phenomena with satisfactory precision. This Mathematical Model is completely implemented using FORTRAN^® Language. There are 2 sorts of data: one used to calibrate and adjust the model’s constants so the model can properly describe the reality of the events, and the other as the basis of comparison for the validation of the model after adjustments and calibrations. With this work, it is expected that the knowledge about how the use of these fuels impact global emissions, and how it is possible to optimize our energy production by using the best mixture of fuels at the optimal point between net power outtake and net emissions produced.