Investigation into the Formation and Prevention of Internal Diesel Injector Deposits

Abstract

<span class="label">1</span> <div class="htmlview paragraph">High precision high pressure diesel common rail fuel injection systems play a key role in emission control, fuel consumption and driving performance.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">Deposits have been observed on internal injector components, for example in the armature assembly, in the slots of the piston and on the nozzle needle. The brownish to colourless deposits can adversely impact driveability and result in non-compliance with the Euro 4 or Euro 5 emission limits.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">The deposits have been extensively studied to understand their composition and their formation mechanism. Due to the location of these deposits, the influence of combustion gas can be completely ruled out. In fact, their formation can be explained by interactions of certain diesel fuel additives, including di- and mono-fatty acids. This paper describes the methodology used and the data generated that support the proposed mechanisms. Moreover, approaches to avoid such interactions are discussed.</div>