Assessment of the potential of dimethyl ether as an alternative fuel for compression ignition engines

The main problem that the automotive industry has been dealing with since the beginning of the XXI century is the need to reduce the exhaust emissions from piston combustion engines. Another, not at all less important problem is the depleting natural resources of crude oil. There are many concepts aiming at resolving of the said issues. One of them is the possibility of application of dimethyl ether (DME) in a classic engine. The paper characterizes this fuel, drawing attention to the aspects related to the adaptation of the engine to this type of fuel, presents the process of its atomization and relevant exhaust emissions.