Abstract
Modern research in the area of internal combustion engines is focused on researching and investigating the technologies that will improve fuel efficiency and decrease emissions. Application of dual-fuel engines is considered as a potential solution to these problems. In the dual-fuel engine, a natural gas-air mixture is ignited by a small amount of the diesel fuel directly injected into a combustion chamber. Pilot fuel injection parameters can strongly effect the combustion process. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of such fuel-supply parameters as pilot fuel mass, pilot fuel injection pressure, pilot fuel injection timing and excess air ratio on the combustion process. Investigation is based on the data obtained during bench tests conducted with the use of measurement equipment. The dependences of engine characteristics from the fuel supply parameters under review were obtained based on the results of the experimental study. Optimal values for every investigated fuel-supply parameter were chosen based on the obtained results. Over the course of the investigation, the coefficient for heat release rate according to the Vibe equation was calculated for each operating point.