Development of a Generic Dual Fuel ECU for Common Rail Diesel Engine Control

Abstract

Rising costs of diesel fuel has led to an increased interest in dual fuel diesel engine conversion, which can offset diesel consumption though the simultaneous combustion of a secondary gaseous fuel. This system offers benefits both environmentally and financially in an increasingly energy-conscious society. Dual fuel engine conversions have previously been fitted to mechanical injection systems, requiring physical modification of the fuel pump. The aim of this work is to develop a novel electronic dual fuel control system that may be installed on any modern diesel engine using common rail fuel injection with solenoid injector valves, eliminating the need for mechanical modification of the diesel fuel system.

The dual fuel electronic control unit developed replaces up to 90 percent of the diesel fuel required with cleaner-burning and cheaper compressed natural gas, providing the same power output with lower greenhouse gas emissions than pure diesel. The dual fuel system developed controls the flow of diesel, gas, air, and engine timing to ensure combustion is optimised to maintain a specific torque at a given speed and demand. During controlled experimental analysis, the dual fuel system exceeded the target substitution rate of 90 precent, with a peak diesel substitution achieved of 97 percent, whilst maintaining the same torque performance of the engine under diesel operation.