A Quantitative Methodology to Measure Injector Fouling Through Image Analysis

The use of vegetables oils in a compression ignited internal combustion engine presents some critical issues as the large amount of carbon deposits on the tip of injectors, which significantly influence emissions and engine performance. A previous draft methodology was developed by the authors, based on images capture and post-processing. The carbon deposit was correlated with the number of pixels in the gray scale, so it was possible to determine a Fouling Index. First results showed interesting perspectives and some limits: the aim of the present work is the optimization of the test bench and methodology. At first an improvement of image acquisition, increasing sampling frequency and image resolution, is performed, replacing the old camera with a digital microscope and improving both injector and microscope positioning. The test bench prototype has been realized with the aid of 3D printing, obtaining fundamental mechanical components. Also an alternative methodology is proposed to evaluate carbon deposits volume through a Volumetric Index. The new methodology validation was done using images sampled with the previous test bench. The performances of the Fouling index and of the new Volumetric Index were compared and fouling was examined in the real case of a diesel engine, fed with diesel and sunflower oil. Results show a greater reliability of the new Volumetric Index.