A review study on using diethyl ether in diesel engines: Effects on fuel properties, injection, and combustion characteristics

This study was compiled from the results of various researches performed on using diethyl ether as a fuel or fuel additive in diesel engines. Three different techniques are used, the reduction of the harmful exhaust emissions of diesel engines. The first technique for the reduction of harmful emissions has improved the combustion by modification of engine design and fuel injection system, but this process is expensive and time-consuming. The second technique is the use of various exhaust gas devices like catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter. However, the use of these devices affects negatively diesel engine performance. The final technique to reduce emissions and also improve diesel engine performance is the use of various alternative fuels or fuel additives. The major pollutants of diesel engines are nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. It is very difficult to reduce nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions simultaneously in practice. Most researches declare that the best way to reduce these emissions is the use of various alternative fuels i.e. natural gas, biogas, biodiesel, or the use of fuel additives with these alternative fuels or conventional diesel fuel. Therefore, it is very important that the results of various studies on alternative fuels or fuel additives are evaluated together for practice applications. Especially, this study focuses on the use of diethyl ether in diesel engines as fuel or fuel additive in various diesel engine fuels. This review study investigates the effects of diethyl ether on the fuel properties, injection, and combustion characteristics.