Simulation and analysis of performance, combustion, and emissions of a stationary diesel engine fueled with diesel-LPG blends

• Diesel-LPG blends were simulated in a small stationary diesel engine using AVL Boost. • Combustion parameters of the investigated fuels were adjusted according to blending ratios. • D70L30 blend improved power and cut BSFC by up to 8.45 % and 6.90 %, respectively. • Higher LPG ratios significantly reduced soot and CO but increased NO x emissions. • D70L30 offered the best emissions trade‑off and optimal performance. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is considered one of the alternative fuels used in engines to solve the energy security problem and mitigate environmental pollution. This study investigates the combustion, performance, and emissions of diesel-LPG blends, with different LPG concentrations from 0 to 50 %, in a stationary diesel engine using AVL Boost software. Combustion parameters such as combustion duration, start of combustion, and Vibe function shape factor were adjusted, based on experimental research results, to vary with the LPG concentration in the blend to simulate the combustion process more closely to reality. The results indicate the 70 % diesel-30 % LPG blend (D70L30) improves engine torque, power, and specific fuel consumption by up to 5.60, 8.45, and 6.90 %, respectively. The peaks of in-cylinder pressure, temperature, and heat release rate are improved by up to 32.62, 7.04, and 35.02 %, respectively, at the 50 % diesel-50 % LPG blend (D50L50). As the LPG concentration in the blend increases, NO x tends to increase while soot and CO decrease. The D50L50 blend produces 130.62 % more NO x than diesel; at the same time, it also produces 66.36 and 25.37 % less soot and CO than its counterpart, respectively. These findings suggest the D70L30 is the optimal diesel-LPG blend, achieving improvements in engine performance while balancing the trade-off-based emissions between NO x , soot, and CO. This study adds valuable insights to the refinement of AVL Boost simulation approaches. In addition, the current work is significant in contributing to the research, development, and application of alternative fuels for sustainable rural development in Vietnam.