Argonne National Laboratory is investigating what it would take to run a regular diesel engine on gasoline without generating high diesel emissions. A vehicle run with a diesel engine has advantages such as a longer lifespan and is more efficient than regular spark ignition gasoline engines. The disadvantage: high NOx emissions that are harmful to the environment. Using residue fuels (crude gasolines with low cetane numbers), Argonne is mixing and measuring fuel chemistry and fluid dynamics to determine the ideal fuel/air injection and mixture strategies for diesel engine use.
Work to date has shown significant reductions in NOx emissions. Engine efficiencies have also remained high—close to diesel efficiency—and roughly double that of sparkignited (regular combustion engine) gasoline at low speeds and loads. Equipping cars with diesel engines running on regular gasoline would not only make a more efficient vehicle with a longer lifespan, but also reduce emissions and contribute to a greener environment.
