Low-temperature premixed compression ignition combustion (PCI) discussed in this study is
achieved via late injection timing (close to top dead center) and heavy exhaust gas
recirculation (EGR) using ultra low sulfur Swedish diesel fuel (sulfur content less than
15 ppm). PCI obtains a simultaneous decrease in particulate matter (PM) and oxides of
nitrogen (NOx), as where injection timing is retarded, as opposed to conventional
combustion, where a PM-NOx trade-off is observed. In PCI, hydrocarbon (HC) and
carbon monoxide (CO) are increased, and must be removed using aftertreatment. In order
to understand the sources of HC from the PCI regime, gas chromatography with a flame ionization
detector is employed to perform exhaust HC speciation at three EGR rates and three
injection timings. Volatile HC, semi-volatile HC, and CO increase as the injection timing is
retarded or EGR is increased. Retarded injection timing or increased EGR reduces peak
cylinder bulk temperature and thereby increases the yield of CO and volatile HC (mostly
C1–C3). Retarded injection timing or increased EGR also increases ignition delay, which
increases over-mixing and causes more mixture to become so lean that combustion ceases
and the output of semi-volatile HC species (mostly unburned C10–C12 fuel) is increased.
Volatile HC species are increased more than semi-volatile HC species, which results in a shift
to a lighter exhaust HC mixture as injection timing is retarded or EGR is increased.