Combustion and Emission Characteristics of GTL water emulsion

Natural gas is anticipated as the fuel reducing carbon dioxide(CO2). Furthermore, Shale gas is expected that it can be supplied more constant and inexpensively. On the other hand, GTL(Gas to Liquids)is in the spot light since it can be made from sevral materials such as biomas or natural gas. GTL has lower exhaust emission than gas oil of its because GTL has higher self-ignitability. However, much more emission reduction is needed even if clean GTL. Therefore, GTL water emulsion is made in order to reduce the exhaust emissions. In this paper, GTL water emulsion fuels of 40, 50 and 60% water volume levels were prepared and examined in order to declare the influence of water content ratio. The fuel properties were measured and then all of water emulsion fuels were burned in a conventional diesel engine. It was found that water emulsion fuels can be burned in the general diesel engine without troubles. It can be seen that the water addition can improve the exhaust emissions. Although the total hydro carbon(THC)and carbon monoxide(CO)are increased, smoke in the exhaust gas and nitrogen oxides(NOx)of water emulsion fuels are reduced from the neat GTL significantly. Moreover, the brake specific fuel consumption(BSFC)of water emulsion fuels are slightly higher, however it can be considered that BSFC of water emulsion has a feasibility improvement by adjusting the fuel injection timing